Report outlines premium foods with billion-dollar potential

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has profiled the top 20 premium food and beverage products with prime growth potential for Western Australia in the Premium Agrifood Market Opportunity report, commissioned by the State Government.

The products are wide-ranging from organic beef, specialty breads and baby food to premium grains and cider.

The combined market value of these 20 products could contribute to up to $4 billion in additional value into the agrifood sector, opening up new employment opportunities across Western Australia.

The report used market trend research in domestic and Asian export markets to identify new and emerging premium agrifood products that add value to the State's abundant raw materials.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Food Industry Innovation project will meet with industry and WA agribusinesses to facilitate investment and build on these opportunities.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"WA has traditionally produced and exported bulk quantities of agrifood ingredients, and we have a great reputation for delivering quality food.

"But we are falling behind in the share of premium, value-added consumer-ready products we export compared to other States and wealthy developed countries.

"This report highlights export market value up to $4 billion across the 20 priority opportunities and analyses the capacity for WA businesses to capture a larger share of the value of this market.

"This is about developing the full potential of food and beverage businesses here in Western Australia, which are adding value to our raw produce, growing jobs and building our economy."