The Australian seafood industry is uniting to rebuild its export sector.
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national peak-body representing the Australian seafood industry, has released the industry’s first whole-of-industry Export Market Strategic Plan in order to help struggling exports.
“This plan has a focus on unity and growth and reflects the important role our export sector plays in the Australian seafood industry, the AUS$1.4 billion contribution we make to the national economy and future-proofing the supply of sustainable and nutritious Australian seafood to the world’s growing population,” said Veronica Papacosta, CEO, SIA.
Targeted plan
Ms Papacosta said that the Australian seafood industry was the first and worst hit when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Its seafood exports stopped virtually overnight and the impacts were confounded by growing international trade tensions.
The overarching goal of the plan is to grow Australian seafood exports to AUS$2b by 2030.
”To achieve this, we will increase the volume we export, get more for our products through premium pricing, strengthen our existing markets and expand into new markets and increase the capabilities and number of exporting businesses,” she said.
The plan focuses strategic activities around three country tiers. Tier one countries are countries where trade is currently open and there is high-growth potential - countries like Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.
Tier two countries are ones where trade is open, but the market is more competitive or could be impacted by other barriers. These markets may have been strong in the past and the ability to be again in the future, or with strategic positioning could be strong trading partners. So, China, the UK and the USA.
Tier three includes countries like India, where Australia has an interim free trade agreement in place and could be a strong trading partner for Australian seafood in the future.
The Export Market Strategic Plan is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment’s Agricultural Trade and the Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program.
The plan was launched as part of the Australian industry’s biennial conference, Seafood Directions, which runs in Brisbane from September 13-15.
