Published Friday, 08 August, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Big plans for Queensland’s billion dollar processed food industry
Queensland’s $15 billion a year food processing sector is set to grow larger thanks to a new State Government supported Processed Food Sector Action Plan.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle launched the new plan at an industry workshop in Cairns today.
“The new action plan focuses on promoting local innovation, value adding, building a reputation for Queensland’s regional food and increasing our global reach,” Ms Boyle said.
“It will also drive industry and government partnerships which are vital to the plan’s success.
“The ultimate goal is to see Queensland’s processed food sector capture more market share in high-end domestic and export markets.
“The plan also acknowledges and addresses the challenges the industry faces.
“These include the rising costs of labour and energy, the effects of climate change and increasing competition from nations such as India, Brazil and China.”
Ms Boyle said the processed food sector was one of the State Government’s key industries essential for the future of state’s economy.
“It is Queensland’s largest manufacturing sector and employs more than 37,000 people.
“It’s also our second largest export segment, representing 37 per cent of total Queensland manufacturing exports in 2006/2007.
“Queensland’s reputation for processed food quality is widespread with most of our exports going to Asia followed by the USA, New Zealand and Russia.”
Ms Boyle said Cairns and Far North Queensland had a dynamic processed foods industry that was making its mark in domestic and export markets.
“This region is renowned for quality foods such as sugar, seafood, tropical fruits and coffee,” she said.
“Commercial fishing is another important local industry, as is the emerging niche sector of tropical fruit wine which is turning over annual sales of more than $1.6 million.
“Areas with potential for growth include organic produce, value-added sugar products and aquaculture.
“Mossman Central Mill is already progressing an exciting project to develop low glycemic index sugar while Cocoa Australia are planning to establish a facility in the region to produce chocolates made from local cocoa and low GI sugar.”
Ms Boyle said one of the most successful local processed foods was cheese and took the opportunity to present Frank and John Gallo and cheesemaker Johannes Minder from local company Gallo Dairyland with a gold medal award they recently won at the Brisbane Cheese Awards.
“Gallo Dairyland is the first wholly lactose free cheese factory in Australia,” Ms Boyle said.
“Mungalli Creek Dairy at Millaa Millaa has an established reputation for high quality products and the Vannella Cheese Factory in Cairns is know Australia-wide as an award-winning producer of buffalo cheese,” she said.
Processed food is one of 15 priority sectors identified in Queensland’s new Smart Industry Policy.
To view the Processed Food Sector Action Plan, visit www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au
8 August 2008
Media contact:
Minister’s Office – Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle launched the new plan at an industry workshop in Cairns today.
“The new action plan focuses on promoting local innovation, value adding, building a reputation for Queensland’s regional food and increasing our global reach,” Ms Boyle said.
“It will also drive industry and government partnerships which are vital to the plan’s success.
“The ultimate goal is to see Queensland’s processed food sector capture more market share in high-end domestic and export markets.
“The plan also acknowledges and addresses the challenges the industry faces.
“These include the rising costs of labour and energy, the effects of climate change and increasing competition from nations such as India, Brazil and China.”
Ms Boyle said the processed food sector was one of the State Government’s key industries essential for the future of state’s economy.
“It is Queensland’s largest manufacturing sector and employs more than 37,000 people.
“It’s also our second largest export segment, representing 37 per cent of total Queensland manufacturing exports in 2006/2007.
“Queensland’s reputation for processed food quality is widespread with most of our exports going to Asia followed by the USA, New Zealand and Russia.”
Ms Boyle said Cairns and Far North Queensland had a dynamic processed foods industry that was making its mark in domestic and export markets.
“This region is renowned for quality foods such as sugar, seafood, tropical fruits and coffee,” she said.
“Commercial fishing is another important local industry, as is the emerging niche sector of tropical fruit wine which is turning over annual sales of more than $1.6 million.
“Areas with potential for growth include organic produce, value-added sugar products and aquaculture.
“Mossman Central Mill is already progressing an exciting project to develop low glycemic index sugar while Cocoa Australia are planning to establish a facility in the region to produce chocolates made from local cocoa and low GI sugar.”
Ms Boyle said one of the most successful local processed foods was cheese and took the opportunity to present Frank and John Gallo and cheesemaker Johannes Minder from local company Gallo Dairyland with a gold medal award they recently won at the Brisbane Cheese Awards.
“Gallo Dairyland is the first wholly lactose free cheese factory in Australia,” Ms Boyle said.
“Mungalli Creek Dairy at Millaa Millaa has an established reputation for high quality products and the Vannella Cheese Factory in Cairns is know Australia-wide as an award-winning producer of buffalo cheese,” she said.
Processed food is one of 15 priority sectors identified in Queensland’s new Smart Industry Policy.
To view the Processed Food Sector Action Plan, visit www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au
8 August 2008
Media contact:
Minister’s Office – Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326