Victoria is Australia's largest food exporting state, and
with more than 2,000 food-processing companies and goods valued at more than $9
billion, is known as the country's food basket. There are almost 100 Victorian
food service companies currently exporting to the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region, with a value of around $762 million, and many other products
being exported directly to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
"The state of Victoria is well equipped to support this
market with a favorable climate high quality soils and world-class industry
standards leading to the production of superior products and services for
export," he said. "Our food-processing companies reflect the quality
and sustainability of our food industry and they have the most diverse range of
goods and services on offer for the Kingdom and other parts of the MENA
region," he added.
"The Saudi market is an increasingly important market
for us, especially as the Kingdom is pursuing a food security program and is
keen on investing overseas to meet its food requirement," he said.
The Kingdom is the sixth largest trade partner for Victoria
in terms of the two-way trade, the spokesman said, adding that the Kingdom
remains the largest export market in the Middle East. Last year, Australia
exported to the Gulf 1.4 billion Australian dollars of vehicles and automobile
spare parts, with the Kingdom accounting for the largest share. "We are
looking for Saudi businessmen to invest in Victoria and the rest of
Australia," he added.
The mission included companies involved in lamb products,
dairy products, foodstuffs, sauces and cheeses, he said, adding that Victoria's
dairy industry is the largest food sector in the state with an estimated 6.6
billion Australian dollar annual turnover. The state's grains industry
including wheat, barley and pulses, as well as horticulture industry with a
diverse range of product categories including fruit, vegetables, juices, nuts
and meat accounts for major exports to the Gulf, MENA and other parts of the
world.
