FRESH opportunities for Australian agricultural exporters are in sight with a strong demand from Southeast Asia, notably Brunei and Indonesia.
The National Farmers Federation recently partnered with Austrade on a trade mission to both countries, along with a group of ‘agritech’ companies, research and development corporations, commodity bodies, universities and the CSIRO.
The Strategic Agribusiness Partnerships Mission to Indonesia and Brunei confirmed a ‘strong appetite’ for deeper commercial, research and technical partnerships with Australian agribusinesses.
National Farmers Federation interim chief executive Su McCluskey said Australian businesses should back more Southeast Asian partners.
“Australia stands to both contribute and benefit from this growth by partnering with countries in Southeast Asia to help them with their self-sufficiency goals as well as food security imperatives,” she said.
“Australian agribusinesses don’t just export goods but also services, and there is significant demand for our agritech, research capability and practical expertise across the region.”
Brunei is working to diversify beyond oil and gas and into the agrifood sector.
Indonesia has a population of almost 285 million, with a growing need for protein and other foods to help meet its Nutritious Meals Program for children.
GrainGrowers advocacy and rural affairs manager Sean Cole said the national representative organisation traded $1.5 billion in annual trade for wheat alone in Indonesia.
“Wheat is our number one export in the grain sector to Indonesia,” he said.
Mr Cole said it was important to understand market needs firsthand.
“It’s a very important market and we’re very excited to continue building that relationship.”
The mission also identified education and training as important areas.