Victoria’s strong position to capitalise on the dining boom will be a key focus of discussion at the inaugural AgriVictoria: State of Opportunity summit, to be held in June.
With increased access to key international markets through the establishment of free trade agreements with China, Korea, and Japan in 2014, the event will have outcome-focused sessions to prepare the industry for tapping into international trade and investment opportunities.
Victoria is well placed to take advantage of these opportunities, as the nation’s most prosperous food and fibre state, with exports growing from $10.2 billion in 2012-2013 to $11.4 billion in 2013-2014. Victoria has experienced increased demand from Asian nations in particular, as they experience significant population and economic growth.
The AgriVictoria summit will bring key members of Victoria’s agricultural community together with export and agribusiness leaders, including Ms Pan Honghuan, deputy general manager of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO Group); Andrew Barnes, trade manager Agri & Food, Austrade; Robert Hadler, director of The Global Foundation; and Simon Talbot, chief executive of the National Farmers Federal.
Sponsored by the Victorian Government, AgriVictoria is being delivered by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the Victorian Farmers Federation, ANZ, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Victorian Agribusiness Council and the Global Foundation and will be held at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne on June 11.
The summit will be followed by Victoria’s premier agricultural event, Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria Gala dinner. Presented by The VFF and The RASV in the Docklands, this highly anticipated event will recognise the importance of Victoria’s agricultural industry and showcase some of the state’s finest local produce.