Export opportunities for Gippsland products in Middle East and North African markets have been discussed with Food and Fibre Gippsland.
Victorian food and fibre exports currently account for around 27 per cent of the national total, with a growth target aiming for it to be worth $20 billion to the state’s economy by 2030. 
Food and Fibre Gippsland has been supporting a diverse range of businesses over the last two years via Gippsland Connect SME Export Hub and Packaging Assisting Small Exporters Program (PASE). 
The state government continues to support export growth through current initiatives being delivered via Food & Fibre Gippsland and Invest Gippsland throughout the region. As a result, export market opportunities continue to grow for Gippsland’s premium produce and products. 
As part of the Global Victoria Trade Alliance Program, the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a successful roundtable meeting at the Morwell Innovation Centre to share market insights about Middle East and North African markets (MENA).  This was a hybrid event, with stakeholders and industry experts attending in person, joined online by the Global Victoria Team presenting from Dubai. Regional businesses, including Maffra Cheese and artisan chocolate creators Exquisite Treats were at the meeting, whilst many others connected virtually.
The MENA region is currently experiencing significant growth in consumer demand across a range of industry sectors. The program discussed key factors underpinning export growth and emphasised export diversification opportunities to decrease reliance on single markets as well as provided insights on the key MENA industry sectors’ growth opportunities for Victorian regional businesses. 
Food and Fibre Gippsland chief executive officer Nicola Pero attended, building awareness of the Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand and the importance of the region’s clean, green, and trusted reputation.
“There is certainly appetite in the MENA region, as well as Turkey and Russia, for premium products originating from a trusted source and environment like Gippsland. The MENA representatives we met with were supportive of our Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand and very engaged with how it could be represented at a consumer level in their countries” she said. 
Ms Pero said for a small annual subscription fee, the brand is available for Gippsland food and fibre businesses of all sizes to use and incorporate into their marketing and packaging. It’s envisaged as more businesses join the Gippsland Trusted Provenance program, the momentum and networking will build, along with opportunities to explore exporting as a large group. 
“We’re building an environment in which artisan producers can work collaboratively to consolidate their shipments, exporting as “Gippsland Trusted Provenance”. This will offer the importing country a rich array of quality products from the region in one hit, whilst creating freight economies of scale for the individual businesses, making exporting more accessible,” Ms Pero said. 
For more information about the Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand – go to www.foodandfibregippsland.com.au/gippslandtrustedprovenance