Seafood Industry Australia says its whole-of-industry Export Market Strategic Plan is a first for the sector, capitalising on cohesion forged during Covid.
SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta said the industry was the “first and worst” hit when the pandemic started.
“Our seafood exports stopped virtually overnight, and the impacts were confounded by growing international trade tensions. We needed to pivot, and we needed to pivot fast.
Crisis brought opportunity, and the Australian seafood industry united our actions in the international trade landscape,” Papacosta said.
The plan was developed after consultation with producers, businesses, and exporters, and a review of existing data and reports.
It sets out key targets and five strategic priorities to achieve them, with the main goal to grow Australian seafood exports to $2 billion by 2030. The strategies are:
- increase the volume we export,
- get more for our products through premium pricing,
- strengthen our existing markets and expand into new markets,
- increase the capabilities and number of exporting businesses, and
- communicate and grow the presence of ‘Brand Australia’ and ‘Great Australian Seafood’ internationally.
“The plan reflects the important role our export sector plays in the Australian seafood industry, the $1.4 billion contribution we make to the national economy, and future-proofing the supply of sustainable and nutritious Australian seafood to the world’s growing population,” Papacosta said.
The five strategies are planned around three country tiers, with tier one including countries where trade is currently open, there are few competitors, and high-growth potential, such as Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.
“Tier two countries are ones where trade is open, but the market is more competitive or could be impacted by other barriers. These markets may have been strong in the past and the ability to be again in the future, or with strategic positioning could be strong trading partners. Places like China, the UK and US,” she said.
Tier three includes countries like India, where there is an interim free trade agreement in place, a growing middle and upper class, and could be a strong trading partner for Australian seafood in the future.
