For the first time in almost 10 years, the South Australian trade minister will take a delegation to Thailand, with a group of recognisable South Australian companies to help grow export opportunities to the booming region.
The State Government is supporting local companies to attend THAIFEX, Asia's largest food and beverage trade show, including: Beerenberg, Bickford Group, San Remo, The Yoghurt Shop, Legacy Food Group, Pure Origins, Oleapak, Fuzzy Bum Honey and Blue Lake Milling.
Beerenberg currently exports to more than 20 countries, with their products proudly found in many hotels, supermarkets and enjoyed on international airlines. The Adelaide Hills company is looking for opportunities to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, with trade shows like THAIFEX an opportunity to meet buyers, retailers and importers from across the region.
The visit will allow businesses to tap into Southeast Asia's booming food market, and forge valuable export partnerships across the region.
South Australia's exports to Southeast Asia are almost on par with our largest trading partner, China, having reached $3.7 billion in the latest trade figures.
Home to more than 700 million people, Southeast Asia is on track to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2040 and was identified in the South Australia Trade and Investment Strategy to 2030 as a priority growth market.
These opportunities are why Minister Picton's first trade mission is targeted in South East Asia and will also pursue trade and investment opportunities in Singapore and Vietnam across the five days.
The region's expanding middle-class is driving increased demand for premium food, wine and consumer products, as well as education and tourism services.
The Thailand and Vietnam legs of the trade mission - both key food, beverage and agribusiness export markets - will include a focus on growing trade opportunities for the state's producers.
While in Singapore, Minister Picton will take high level meetings with space and higher education industry leaders, as well as key investors across energy and resources, property infrastructure, AI infrastructure, and tourism and hospitality.
Also representing his Veterans Affairs portfolio, Minister Picton will lay a wreath at Kranji War Memorial in Singapore to honour Australians who lost their lives in the Pacific theatre during WWII.
According to the latest trade figures, South Australia's exports to the Southeast Asia region - which includes countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore Vietnam and Philippines - have jumped by $319 million year-on-year to March 2026.
As put by Chris Picton
Businesses like Beerenberg are iconic South Australian brands that we want to see on more supermarket shelves across South East Asia – delivering more jobs and investment for our state.
The rapid economic growth of the Southeast Asian region is a significant opportunity for South Australian businesses.
Our government last year identified Southeast Asia as a priority market and targeting it as my first trade mission is part of our deliberate strategy to build business connections as well as trade and investment opportunities in the growing region.
That's why we're putting our state's best foot forward with a united front from some of our biggest names at Asia's largest food and beverage trade show.
As put by Tori Dixon-Whittle, Food SA CEO
South Australian food and beverage products are recognised internationally as premium, clean and trusted, backed by businesses with rich histories, strong provenance and export capability. Southeast Asia is an exciting growth market for our sector, with consumers increasingly seeking safe, high-quality and sustainably produced food and beverage products.
Food South Australia, the industry's peak body, has worked closely with the South Australian Government to deliver an industry-led trade mission that will help local businesses build valuable relationships across the region and showcase the innovation, quality and passion behind South Australia's food and beverage industry.
As put by Robert Priest, Beerenberg CEO
As a family-owned South Australian business with our farm in the Adelaide Hills, Beerenberg is proud to export our products to customers around the world, supporting local jobs and regional communities.
Southeast Asia is a key growth market for us, and this mission provides an important opportunity to build strong partnerships and support our continued export growth.
We thank the South Australian Government and Food SA for their support in helping local businesses connect with international markets.
