Produce heads to Singapore
THE first Singapore Airlines cargo plane landed at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport last night to pick up Darling Downs produce ready to export directly to Singapore markets.
With the support of the Federal Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism initiative, Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport has led this exciting export expansion, and continues to deliver real growth opportunities for the region.
This is the second IFAM flight from Toowoomba after a Cathy Pacific flight laden with Darling Down’s product flew to Hong Kong on June 14.
The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 has 40 tonnes of export capability to deliver Darling Downs produce to a new market in Asia.
Last night, it was loaded up with nearly 20 tonne of local produce including broccoli, lettuce and corn as well as chilled red meat.
Within 24 hours, the high quality agricultural product has gone straight from the fields of the Darling Downs to Singapore.
TSBE Food Leaders Australia general manager Bruce McConnel said it was exciting to be able to help bring this major airline to the region.
“This new service, combined with the two Cathay Pacific flights, positions
Toowoomba to be a regional leader in international exports, with a primary focus on Asian markets,” Mr McConnel said.
“TSBE is pleased to have facilitated the successful co-ordination between governments and independent contractors to enable increased freight capacity of the region from 80 tonne to 160 tonne per week.
“The service is committed to a six-week period, with a review to occur after this period to ensure the long term viability of the service.”
Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk said the flight was a tremendous opportunity for the region’s exporters.
“Exports remain vital to our economy with one in five Queensland jobs supported by exports,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Protecting these jobs depends on continued access to supply chains and markets.”