Beefing up Vietnam trade
Producers exposed to new market
A NUMBER of Darling Downs food and agribusinesses have been given invaluable exposure to one of the most promising Asian consumer markets.
TSBE Food Leaders Australia led a targeted trade mission to Vietnam under Shell’s QGC Emerging Exporters Program from November 17-23.
The businesses included Riverbend Pork Group, Aussie Pork Suppliers, Busy Beef, Running Gully Meats, Four Daughters Premium Angus, Carpendale Commodities, and Dom Distribution.
During the trip, the delegation was able to see and understand the market landscape with the developing consumer trends, and how to position and market their product.
The full program included meetings with importers, retailers and food service companies in Ho Chi Minh City, rural zones in Southern Vietnam and also Hanoi.
The Vietnamese economy is growing at 6.5% annually and as Vietnam’s middle-class population continues to expand, there is an increasing demand for clean, safe and nutritious meals, and an increasing focus on food safety and quality.
Most crucially in this trip, the delegation was able to meet with many business people in the various areas of the food production supply chain.
Lauren Hamilton, business development manager at Riverbend Pork Group, said the trip had opened her eyes to a potential market in a country that was previously not on their radar.
“It was evident from the trip that there is great opportunity for Riverbend Pork Group in this market with a national shortage of pork and high demand for a clean product in their growing middle class.
“The trip really put Riverbend in the spotlight in a way which we could not have achieved on our own and we have already had multiple expressions of interest from both high end butchers and restaurants for our products.
“The whole trip was amazing and we cannot thank TSBE and Shell’s QGC business for the opportunity to be a part of the Emerging Exporters program enough,” Ms Hamilton said.