The West Australian government says an industry-led strategy aims to boost craft beer production in the state, tripling either the volume or value of locally produced beers over the next 10 years.
IN FY21, beer manufacturing contributed around $648 million to the local economy. It directly supported around 967 full-time jobs and indirectly supporting more than 4000 jobs across the State.
Agriculture and food minister, Jackie Jarvis, said, “The inaugural Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy will lay the groundwork for industry, government and other stakeholders to collaborate and shape the future of the craft beer industry.”
The strategy includes all parts of the supply chain, with a goal to improve supply chain integration, including those that produce homegrown barley, hops and malt, and the local businesses that provide packaging, distribution and retail services.
Jarvis said Western Australia was the “birthplace” and “craft beer capital” of Australia, with more than 120 breweries representing 20 per cent of the national industry and half of its breweries are in regional areas.
The government wanted to help the industry “out brew” eastern states, Jarvis said.
“Our craft beer industry uses premium ingredients grown in the State’s agricultural sector and it’s that unique WA ‘paddock to pint’ experience that an increasing number of customers are drawn to,” she said.
The industry-led strategy was facilitated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as a partnering initiative with the Independent Brewers Association, Western Australian Brewers Association and South West Brewers Alliance.
The five strategic priorities are industry leadership, brand awareness, market access and export opportunities, supply chain management, and regulation.
A summary of the strategy can be viewed on websites of the industry bodies and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
