Business relationships confirmed after successful March 2011 trade mission
Quality dairy products from the State of Victoria, Australia, will soon be available in Saudi Arabia following a series of business agreements reached between Tatura Milk Industries and Saudi food buyers and distributors. Representatives from Tatura visited the Kingdom last month as part of an official Victorian food trade mission to Riyadh and Jeddah, which was organised and led by the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) and the Department of Business and Innovation in Dubai.
Tatura Milk Industries is a well-established dairy processing company based in northern Victoria that manufactures quality Australian dairy ingredients for the global market. The company processes around 350 million litres of milk each year and 70,000 tonnes of manufactured products such as infant formula and nutritional powders, cream cheese, MPC and commodity skim and full cream milk powder.
The company took part in the food mission to discuss the opportunities available for Victorian dairy manufactures and to understand the processes and requirements for trade arrangements.
Paddy Kerrins, Sales Manager of Tatura, attended the mission and said demand for Victorian dairy ingredients is high.
"The food mission was a great success for us. The Saudi Arabian retail sector for dairy presents a broad offering and provides competitive pricing, allowing for Victorian and Australian products to be featured. The buyers we met throughout our trip were very receptive to Victorian produce and supportive of the range on offer.
"The initial interest we have experienced has been immense and we will continue to present our products to this market, and to ensure we cultivate a long-term relationship with this developing market place."
The food mission forms part of a comprehensive programme of business engagement organised by the Victorian Government Business Office and the Department of Business and Innovation that provides support and guidance to Victorian exporters and assistance to Middle East and North African regional companies and organisations wishing to source products and services, business introductions and investment opportunities with Victoria.
John Butler, Commissioner - MENA, State Government of Victoria, said:
"The inaugural food trade mission to Saudi Arabia last month set out to introduce local businesses to the best quality produce Victoria has to offer including dairy, halal meat, wheat and related products, organic foods, and to highlight the sustainability of Victoria's food industry. There is currently around 100 Victorian food service companies exporting to the MENA region, with a value of around USD 762 million, and this is set to grow as more Victorian companies expand within the region.
"The relationships forged during this food mission, and the subsequent business conducted between the two countries, is evidence of a successful event. But more importantly it points towards a bright trading future between Victorian food providers, particularly dairy producers, Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA market."
The inaugural Victorian food trade mission took place in March 2011 with visits to local supermarket chain Panda Hypermarket, Al Marai Dairy Farm and the Saudi Arabian Catering Facility, in addition to business meetings with the Chambers of Commerce in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Victoria is Australia's largest food exporting state, and is known as the country's food basket. There are more than 2,000 food processing companies and goods that are valued at more than USD 9 billion.
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About The Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO)
Established in 1997, the Victorian Government Business Office, Dubai (VGBO) is operated by the State Government of Victoria to help promote Victorian trade and investment in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Through a variety of programmes and business initiatives, the VGBO assists Victorian exporters and provides assistance to Middle East and North African regional companies and organisations to source products and services, business introductions and investment opportunities with Victoria.
For more information visit www.invest.vic.gov.au
For more information:
Bianca Lapins
Account Director
Four Communications
Mob: +971 (0) 55 985 3378
Email: bianca.lapins@fourcommunications.com
John Rynehart
Director
Four Communications
Mob: +971 (0) 55 980 6679
Email: john.rynehart@fourcommunications.com
© Press Release 2011
