Dear primary producers, processors and all stakeholders in the Potato Industry in South Australia, Australia and internationally. We are announcing some very significant and exciting achievements and events!
SAVE THE DATE
The Annual Potato Industry Dinner and Auction of New Season Baby Potatoes will be held at the National Wine Centre on Friday 14th of October. Our very special guest speaker this year will be Ms Immaculate Zinde, Manager - Product Promotion, Potatoes South Africa. Tickets will be available soon.
Potatoes South Australia will join with Rosa Matto and Carmen Vining during a series of cooking demonstrations (sponsored by IGA) at the Meeting Place in the PIRSA Taste SA Pavilion. Potatoes have been kindly supplied by the South Australian Industry. See me for a cooking demonstration on Wednesday 7th September at 3pm. The 2016 Royal Adelaide Show runs from the 2nd - 11th September.
World Potato Congress (WPC) Peru, South America 2018
Congratulations to Frank Mulcahy, Agricultural Services Research & Development Manager Simplot Australia Pty Ltd who is a new member of the WPC International Committee. Planning for the 10
th WPC is well underway with key Congress topics including the following:
- Production and trade
- Consumption
- Food security and sustainability
- Crop technology
- Development
- Seed Quality
- Food Waste and Industry Loss
Backpacker Tax
There is widespread community interest in the supply and taxation of working holiday maker visa holders. In particular, the proposed tax rate of 32.5 per cent for non-resident 417 and 462 visa holders; known as the ‘backpacker tax’, has been widely discussed as a potential disincentive for backpackers to take on roles that are not being met by Australian workers. This tax must be abolished.
Backpackers contribute more than $3.5 billion to the economy each year and this generates $318 million in GST. Approximately 40,000 find employment on Australian farms. We need more of them, not less to harvest our crops, and to ensure that our quality produce reaches the market and the consumer in premium condition.
A flat tax of 32.5 per cent on every dollar earned will effectively end this labour source as backpackers choose alternative workplace and holiday locations such as New Zealand and Canada.
It is the flexibility of this labour force (unlike the seasonal worker program) that is crucial to its survival. All the existing backpackers have advised they will not return to Australia if the tax goes to 32.5 per cent and those who are contemplating to go on a working holiday are already looking for an alternative country.
There is a review being undertaken by Deloitte Australia. Potatoes South Australia has collaborated with other horticultural bodies to prepare a submission which closes on 2 September 2016. There has also been liaison with Voice of Horticulture and Ausveg.
Our Current Projects
The Association has several projects ‘in the pipeline’.
- PIRSA’S Advanced Food Manufacturing Grants AFMG - 'Waste' Potato Transformation and STEM project
- SARMS Transforming Riverland Food Loss and Industry Waste into Profit
To find out more
click here...
Other News
OzHarvest ‘Think.Eat.Save’
On 25 July I was very fortunate to join a panel discussion during Think.Eat.Save; an annual signature awareness raiser to highlight the need to fight food waste and held simultaneously in Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, three regional cities, and in Adelaide on the University of Adelaide Goodman Lawns on North Terrace.
The Panel was structured to bring in a wide cross section of views around the core themes of food waste, food security and food sustainability. Other panellists were well known Chef Simon Bryant, Tze Khaw (National Wine Centre), Tim James (CEO OzHarvest), Kate Sumner (Kangaroo Island Source) and Peter Owen (Jeffries Group Waste Management).
The Panel Session was moderated by MC and OzHarvest Ambassador Keith Conlon.
Now in its 4th year, Think.Eat.Save the OzHarvest partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is about educating, engaging and encouraging people to commit to change in relation to food waste and sustainable food systems.
Partnering with the University of Adelaide and the National Wine Centre, 2,000 warm “rescued” lunches as well as 1,000 desserts were prepared by top South Australian chefs and local identities including Gavin Robertson (Adelaide Convention Centre), Philip Pope (Adelaide Oval), Tony Hart (InterContinental), Kevin Martel (The Playford), Tze Khaw (National Wine Centre) and Amanda Gutte (Stamford) with the support of South Australian cooks Maggie Beer, Saskia Beer, Rosa Matto, Silvia Hart and Masterchef’s Jessie Spiby.
To find out more or to make a donation,
click here...
Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) Scheme commences in Australia
Australian state and territory consumer affairs ministers have signed off on Country of Origin labelling (CoOL) reforms for food sold at retailers, with the new scheme commencing on 1 July. Australian businesses will have two years to adapt to the changes, which includes labels with the ‘kangaroo in a triangle’ logo indicating where products are produced, and also indicate what portion of ingredients were produced in Australia.
Read more...
Australia continues to lose market share in global agricultural markets
The Review of Australian Agriculture's Trade Performance 2016 released by the Australian Farm Institute highlights that Australian agriculture is continuing to lose market share in global agricultural markets, and in particular in the booming markets of Asia.
The review reports that over the period from 1996 to 2014, the value of global agricultural trade has grown at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% per annum. Over the same period, the value of agricultural imports by nations in the Central and South Asia, ASEAN, and Africa and the Middle East regions have grown at a rate in excess of 14% per annum.
Yet the value of Australian agricultural exports, over the same period, has only increased by an average of 5.2% per annum, meaning Australian agriculture is continuing to lose market share. On a region by region basis, the data shows that Australian agriculture is holding market share in the North Asia and Oceania regions, but underperforming in some of the fastest growing markets including the ASEAN, Africa and Middle East, and Central and South Asian regions.
The results emphasise the need for Australian agriculture to increase the focus on increasing the value of agricultural exports, as well as the volume. Increased value can be generated by focusing on quality, biosecurity and safety, with Australia already having world-leading systems in place to address these requirements.
Chinese plan $500m food and agriculture investment fund
According to a recent report
in the Australian, a Chinese-based venture capital funds business specialising in green technology is spreading its wings into Australia, establishing a $500 million specialist food and agriculture investment fund by the end of this year.
Tsing Capital, with fund managing partner and China specialist Charles Hunting, plans to create a vertically integrated Australian farming and food business to supply the booming Chinese market for health and wellbeing supplements. The fund will focus on investing in cutting-edge technology based on fermentation to extract, boost and process grain, cane and vegetables to produce high-protein health supplements, tonics, pills and sports drinks, as well as vitamins and nutraceuticals.
Initial investments would be made in technology and existing food processing businesses that could be adapted to produce health-focused foods and pharmaceuticals.
The bigger picture, once the fund exceeds $1 billion in size, is to buy or co-invest in sugar cane, vegetable, legume and grain farms to secure the supply of plant-based proteins needed by the business. Building specialist processing factories in regional towns close to the farms is also part of the vision.
2015 Potato Market and Trade Review
These key findings impact on potato producers, seed suppliers, packers, traders, processors and retailers and are discussed in detail in this fourth annual review from the publishers of World Potato Markets. Trade figures are based on data from Global Trade Information Service which gathers customs data from more than 80 countries including all the main potato trading nations.
The Review complements the weekly information service World Potato Markets. Now in its fourth year, World Potato Markets provides the most comprehensive analysis of the global potato industry available. For more information click here.
Awards
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award 2017
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award identifies and supports emerging women leaders who have the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and rural communities.
Each state winner is awarded a $10,000 financial bursary to implement a project or initiative that will benefit primary industries and rural Australia. They also have the opportunity to participate in leadership development opportunities and receive support to develop an individual integrated leadership plan.
South Australia’s state winner will represent South Australia against the other state and territory winners in the national award later in 2017. As the 2016 state winner, I will be representing South Australia at the national award to be held on 14 September this year.
Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) is the supporting state agency for the 2017 RIRDC Awards.
If you know any women who may be interested in taking part in this Award, please contact State Coordinator, Meredith Loxton on (08) 8429 0490, 0455 082 593 or
email.
Applications for the 2017 award close on Monday 31 October 2016.
Click here for further information and application details. I strongly urge you to apply.
Australian Export Awards
The Australian Export Awards (AEA) is a national program that recognises Australian businesses for their export achievements and contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity.
Businesses enter the AEA through their state and territory export award programs. State and territory winners progress as national finalists, from which one category winner will be crowned the Australian Exporter of the Year.
Click here to find out more.
Events
Asia Fruit Logistica, 7 - 9 September 2016
Join the National Stand at Asia’s premier horticulture show, Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. Meet with customers from across the region and receive the latest market information. Contact Julie Willis, Horticulture Innovation Australia on 02 8295 2339 or by
email.
AIBC Forum: “Australia and Indonesia-the future of food” 26 September 2016
The Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) premier event; “Australia and Indonesia-the future of food will be held in Adelaide on 26 September 2016 4.00-6.00pm.
Speakers include the following:
- Prof Wendy J. Umberger, PhD - Executive Director Centre for Global and Resources, University of Adelaide
- Dr Steve Lapidge - Director of Science Partnerships, PIRSA / SARDI
- Mr Cameron Hall - General Manager Live Exports, Elders Ltd
Invited guests include the Indonesian Embassy, Consulate-General and Indonesian Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) representatives.
As Committee Members, Cameron McDonald, AgAsia and I will facilitate the panel discussion.
Please contact me or Steven Baker, Chair, AIBC South Australia on +61 412 144 272 or
email.
PMA +Ausveg Horticulture Convention 2017
AUSVEG and PMA Australia-New Zealand Limited (PMA-ANZ) will unite to deliver a joint industry conference and trade show in 2017, marking an historic partnership between two of horticulture’s leading organisations.
The event will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre at a date to be confirmed in May or June. The Memorandum of Understanding between AUSVEG and PMA-ANZ will effectively combine two of the industry’s biggest conventions to provide growers and whole-of-supply-chain companies and organisations with the most significant horticulture event in the Australasian region.
Read more...
Grants
For a full list of current available grants
click here.
Media
Media Release
Articles
- “Technology lifts efficiency”, Fairfax Smart Farmer, June 2016
Print/Online
Rabobank Scholarship
Regional Summit, Mt Gambier
- "SE hosts regional thinker”, Fairfax Smart Farmer, June 2016
RIRDC Rural Women’s Award
- “Application opens for RIRDC Honour”, Stock Journal, 3, 4 August 2016
Not a member of Potatoes South Australia yet?
Membership has many valuable benefits; the most important is being a part of an organisation which has delivered significant achievements for the industry at both a state and national level.
Click here for more information.
Did you know that 95% of potatoes grown in South Australia are grown by members of Potatoes South Australia?
Please contact me at any time about your issues or about how we can represent you in a better way.
