The Victorian government is supporting agribusinesses to grow global sales and reach new markets through a new state-of-the-art trade facility in China.
Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has launched Vic House - the Victorian Food and Fibre Trade Pavilion in Shanghai - which provides producers and exporters with a dedicated in-market space to showcase their products.
The pavilion has been developed to support established, emerging and start-up food and fibre export businesses.
It's hoped it will allow Victoria's agriculture sector to strengthen existing trade relationships, build new networks and boost export opportunities.
"Vic House will be the perfect place for both established exporters looking to strengthen existing relationships and export-ready Victorian agribusinesses who are new to the market to showcase their produce," Ms Thomas said.
"This facility will give Victorian agribusinesses the opportunity to secure a strong position in a critical export market and continue the recovery from global market disruptions caused by the pandemic."
The dedicated three-story facility features rooms to conduct virtual business meetings with importers and retailers, high-end supermarket shelving for product display and a full kitchen for cooking demonstrations and hosting dinners to sample produce.
The space also provides Victorian agribusinesses with the opportunity to tailor events to meet Chinese consumer demand by offering seasonal produce tastings in the facility's chilled and frozen display area.
Vic House will support existing and prospective Victorian exporters to access this key market where demand for Victoria's high-quality food and fibre products remains strong. China is Victoria's largest food and fibre export market with sales worth $4.75 billion in 2019-20.
Vic House is supported through the Victorian Government's $15 million Food to Market Program and $5 million Pathways to Export Program.
Three agriculture export specialists were recently appointed in key markets for Victorian food and fibre, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
