QUEENSLAND’S FOOD PROCESSORS BRING HOME THE BACON

Queensland’s food processing companies were standouts among the best in the world State Development Minister John Mickel said today when he returned from one of Asia’s premier food and hospitality trade events - HOFEX 2007.

Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government’s focused and sustained support of Smart State companies was paying off. Queensland food companies displayed a variety of high value gourmet, organic and niche products that have attracted interest from across the region.

“One of the companies I was proud to see at HOFEX 2007 was Barkers Creek Pork produced by Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd from the South Burnett region,” Mr Mickel said.

“The Queensland Government’s relationship with Swickers goes back many years. Since 1999 the Government has provided two Queensland Industry Development Scheme (QIDS) grants as well as a Queensland Meat Processing Development Initiative (QMPDI) grant to help this very large local employer increase its global markets.

“The first QIDS grant of $50,000 enabled Swickers to implement an export development plan, then a QMPDI grant of $657,000 allowed the company to upgrade its domestic slaughter floor to export standard while a third ongoing QIDS grant of $100,000 is helping them to implement world-class best practices.

“That money is an important investment in smart operators - it ultimately leads to jobs for Queenslanders.”

Mr Mickel said Queensland companies including Swickers Bacon Factory Pty Ltd, exported more than $680 million of food products annually to Hong Kong.

He said Queensland’s food and beverage industry was one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the State.

“It contributes more than $13 billion annually to the economy and employs 43,000 people,” Mr Mickel said.

“We already have a well established international reputation for our quality beef, seafood, and tropical fruit and vegetables but now we’re also making a name for ourselves as a manufacturer of fine and speciality lines.”


Queensland companies present at HOFEX this year:

AustMarine Manufacturing Pty Ltd (Labrador) www.austmarine.com.au
Patented manufacturing of facilities for seafood retail and wholesale businesses and aquaculture facilities.
Australian Crocodile Traders Pty Ltd (Cairns) www.australiancrocodile.com.au
The world’s largest producer of first grade saltwater crocodile skins and meat.
Australian Pumpkin Seed Co (Chinchilla) www.thegreenoil.com
Makers of healthy, high quality and nutritious pumpkin seed oil.
Aussie Organics International (Rocklea) www.aussieorganics.com
They provide fresh varieties of a range of premium organic fruit, vegetables, seafoods, dry goods, meat.
Bamboo International Pty Ltd (Gadgarra) www.koalap.com
Growers of the unique Koala Princess Takenoko edible bamboo species.
Barramundi Blue (Bemerside, North Queensland)
One of the largest producers of organically farmed Queensland Barramundi.
Bubbletech Pty Ltd (Bundall)
Cocktail base drink mixers
Bunnyconnellen (Crows Nest ) www.theoliveoilcompany.com.au
Extra virgin olive oil, table olives, olive related products and gourmet foods
Gagarra Honey Pty Ltd (Ravenshoe) www.gagarra.com.au
Gourmet Australian honey and natural beeswax.
Golden Circle Limited (Northgate) www.goldencircle.com.au
A producer of canned fruit, fruit juices, cordials, soft drinks, jams, and baby foods.
Gourmet Garden (Palmwoods) www.gourmetgarden.com
Unique ready-to-use tubes of fresh herbs and spices.
Hans Fresh (Hemmant) www.hansfresh.hans.com.au
Hans Continental Smallgoods specializes in "Barkers Creek" pork products for the food service industry.
Intero Products Pty Ltd (Eagle Farm) www.interprojects.com
Leading hospitality construction specialist.
Jimbour Wines Pty Ltd (Indooroopilly) www.jimbourwines.com.au
Producer of uniquely Queensland wines
Kialla Pure Foods Pty Ltd (Greenmount) www.kiallafoods.com.au
Australia's largest dedicated organic cereal grain manufacturer, offers a large variety of products to the retail, wholesale and manufacturing industry.
Beech Ovens (Stones Corner) www.beechovens.com.au
One of the world’s leading manufacturers of stone hearth cooking equipment.
Mother Meg’s Fine Foods Pty Ltd (Toowoomba) www.motermegs.com.au
Traditionally baked family style biscuits, cakes and puddings
Ozganics (Murwillumbah) www.ozganics.com.au
Natural dressings, spreads, sauces and pasta sauces
Pacific Food Industries Pty Ltd (Yatala) www.pacific-food.com
Fine sauces and condiments.
Seafarm Australia Pty Ltd (Cardwell) www.seafarm.com.au
Farmer of the award-winning Crystal Bay Prawns.
Seatonfire Chilli (Murphy’s Creek)
Chemically free home grown chilli blended with a secret recipe into a chocolate bar.
Smart Candle Australia Pty Ltd (Woolloongabba) www.smartcandle.com.au
A safe, highly cost effective realistic alternative to candlelight.
Superbee Honey Factory (Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast) www.superbee.com.au
A tourist attraction and working honey factory which exports to over 25 countries.
Trevex Corporation Pty Ltd (Dimbulah)
Australia’s largest producer of Red Dragon fruit, as well as a range of fruit wines.
Trisco Foods Pty Ltd (Carole Park) www.triscofoods.com
Speciality ingredients such as milkshakes, sundaes, coffee syrups, bakery toppings


Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.

18 May, 2007