US market is a natural fit for Coast

GOLD Coast companies are spearheading a push into the lucrative $200 billion US natural products market.

Five Coast companies attended the Natural Products Expo West 2017 in California this month to present their products and identify opportunities.

Executives from the companies – ONEgroup, Grahams Natural Alternatives, Morlife, The Vege Chip Co and Cocolife Australia – met with representatives from US major retailers including supermarket giants such as Costco.

Export Council of Australia chief executive Lisa McAuley says the US consumer-goods market, valued at $US438 billion in 2015, presents a major opportunity for local exporters.

“There is a huge advantage to the organic foods we offer because Australia has a reputation for being clean and green,” she said.

“American consumers are very receptive to the Australian brand but we have to offer something unique.

“It is a big market to infiltrate and it requires a lot of time and investment. Many companies underestimate the expense.”

Natural Products Expo West attracts 77,000 visitors and 6500 exhibitors and Coast companies accounted for nearly half the 12-member Queensland delegation.

Morlife co-owner Cheryl Stewart said the US is an untapped market for the foods company, which she started with husband Dr Warren Stewart in 2002.

Morlife products include Alkalising Greens pH 7.3 powder, Cacao Bliss Chocolate Drink and Dark Choc-Coated Macadamias.

“We’re doing well in the Middle East – in Saudi Arabia and Dubai – and in Singapore and we thought we should have a go at the US,” Ms Stewart said. “I went over in January to attend an expo and realised that the products to sell needed to be the most innovative ones.”

She said products such as chia pudding may play well in the US market.

“We have not seen anything like that in America,” she said.

Morlife does not export to the US, although its products are available on Amazon.com

Ms Stewart met with representatives from retail food chain Kroger and Costco during her four-day trip.

ONEgroup co-owner Alf Orpen, whose company produces skin, personal care, dessert and meal products, said California is the “epicentre” of the natural-products industry.

“California is the world’s leader in natural products,” he said. “There is a high level of social consciousness about what they eat and where it comes from.”

ONEGroup has exported to the US for 10 years, turning over about $A4 million each year mainly through online sales.

Mr Orpen said the challenge is to find the next big trend in natural products.

He met with representatives from H.E.BTexas Grocery, a chain of 360 stores, and other retailers during his trip and said there is substantial interest in his company’s products.

Mr Orpen said he hopes two new offerings, Rice Cream Probiotic Ice Cream and Ultrafoods 6in3 weight-loss products, will boost export sales.

“With the Rice Cream in particular we could do a few million dollars in turnover this year,” he said. “We have enough interest to do that.”