News From : DagangHalal.com (30 Sep 2009)
MELBOURNE, Sept 30 (Bernama) — Malaysian companies reported sales of RM5 million and potential sales of almost RM14 million at the recent Fine Food Australia 2009 Trade Fair.
The event is Oceania’s largest food, beverage and hospitality trade fair and was held in Sydney.
Ten Malaysian food manufacturers and exporters and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council participated in the fair that attracted 980 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.It also saw more than 25,000 trade-related visitors.
The Malaysian pavilion was alongside booths from countries such as Korea, Thailand and Greece.
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Sydney Trade Commissioner Ong Yew Chee was delighted with the response from the food industry players.
“An estimated 1,677 people visited the Malaysian pavilion, resulting in 1,500 meetings and enquiries for Malaysian companies,” Ong said.
One of the companies to benefit significantly from the trade fair was Yit Kang Frozen Foods.
Following a recent market visit to Australia, Yit Kang representatives were introduced to grocery wholesaler Rockman Pty Ltd, by Matrade Sydney.Now, its products are distributed to most of Australia’s Asian grocery stores.
The fair was also a chance for the company to introduce its products to consumers. Similar success stories have been documented in previous years.
After attending Fine Food Australia in 2007, Spritzer Bhd caught the attention of Joseph Marando, the director of sales and marketing for Impulse Products.
The company now imports about 30 containers of mineral water monthly from Malaysia.
Ong said participating in trade fairs like Fine Food Australia was the best way for Malaysian companies to promote food and beverage products to Australia and the rest of the Oceania region.
The fair was also a good opportunity for Malaysian companies to meet directly with importers, gain an insight into the Australian market and assess the strength of competing countries in the region, he added.
In 2008, Australia’s imports of selected food products from the world were valued at A$9.25 billion. Malaysia was ranked as the fifth largest source of imports for Australia in selected food and beverage products and the largest from ASEAN.
Other than Yit Kang, the Malaysian companies that participated in Fine Food Australia were Alif Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Baba Products Sdn Bhd, Fresh and Tasty Sdn Bhd, HOTSB Marketing Sdn Bhd, Kawan Food Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Marine Gold Marketing Sdn Bhd, QL Food Sdn Bhd, Torto Food Industries (M) Sdn Bhd Universal Nutribeverage Sdn Bhd.
The trade fair next year will be held in Melbourne.
— BERNAMA