Category:Food Industry

From FoodHub

The Australian food industry is a vital component of the Australian economy. Food products, incorporating processed food and fresh horticultural produce, account for 46% of total retailing in Australia and 19% of Australia's merchandise exports.

The processed food industry is Australia’s largest manufacturing industry with a turnover of $55.3 billion in 2000-01. It also employed more than 187 000 people. The industry contributes $14.2 billion or 2.2% to Australia's GDP.

The processed food industry is one of only two Australian manufacturing sectors that are net exporters. In 2002-03, Australia had a trade surplus in processed food products of over $9.9 billion: exports had an estimated value of $15.4 billion and imports had an estimated value of $5.5 billion.

The processed meat sector continues to be the largest sector of the processed food industry in Australia, in terms of turnover and employment. In 2000-01, turnover in the meat industry was $13.0 billion, which is 18% higher than in the previous year, and employment increased by 13% to 53,000 employees. While, in the same year, the beverage and malt sector had the third largest turnover, it made the largest contribution to the total industry value added (22%).

Increased consumer expectations over food safety, nutrition, variety, and reliable and consistent quality, as well as rising community expectations for responsible environmental and animal management, are also impacting along the entire food chain, from retailer through to producer.

The key issue currently facing the Australian food industry is globalisation. Features of the global marketplace include the ongoing liberalisation of world trade, the rapid development of information and communications technology, and advances in biotechnology. A significant challenge for the Australian food industry is to secure their place in the global sourcing plans of the major international retail chains.

The globalisation of the food industry is exerting pressure on food producers and processors in a number of ways. The emergence of global retail chains will result in major changes to the structure and operation of the food processing industry over the next five to ten years. Emerging trends include the development of global sourcing networks, industry restructuring along global lines and the changing focus on brands.

Emerging global trends present opportunities for the Australian food industry to increase their market share. These opportunities include: responding to different consumer demands; participating in global supply chains; taking up new technologies, including e-commerce; biotechnologies; and adapting to a changing regulatory environment. If these opportunities are actively pursued, they will enhance the industry’s ability to be globally competitive.

The long-term viability of the Australian food industry will depend on its ability to capture a part of these emerging global opportunities.

Source: www.daff.gov.au/foodinfo

Articles in category "Food Industry"

There are 35 articles in this category.

A AQIS Additives Agriculture Allergens B Baking Beverages C Coffee D Dairy F FSANZ Fats & Oils Flour Milling

F cont. Food Labelling Food Legislation Food Packaging Food Processing Food Retail Food Safety Food Safety Auditing Food Transport Fruit & Vegetables G General foods H Hospitality L Listeria

M Macadamia Nuts Meat N NSW Food Authority Novel Foods O OHS Olives P Poultry R Rice S Seafood Sugar T Tea W Wine