An international trade delegation has sampled some of the best offerings from southern Queensland producers during a four-day trade mission.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said nine delegates from Taiwan and Japan visited a range of agricultural businesses in the Goondiwindi and Balonne Shire council areas.
"Inbound trade missions such as this are important building blocks to establishing new international trade opportunities which ultimately translate into jobs for regional Queensland," Mr Furner said.
"The trade mission provided the perfect opportunity for local agribusinesses to network with delegates and showcase their products including horticulture produce, grains, poultry, beef, lamb, diary, value add products and agri-tech innovation.
"Southern Queensland produce is renowned for its taste, diversity and quality, traits that were highlighted at the Discover Farming Signature Cocktail evening where guests had a true paddock-to-plate experience through a seven-course roaming degustation."
Both regional councils were keen to develop opportunities across the region to bring Australian products to the rest of the world.
Goondiwindi Mayor Councillor Graeme Scheu said the region was one of the most productive areas in Australia and produces some of the country's best wheat, beef cattle, wool, cotton and other specialty crops for domestic and international markets.
Balonne Shire Mayor Councillor Richard Marsh also recognised the benefit of the trade visit to the region and was very keen to explore and identify international trade and investment opportunities.
Andrew Moon, from Moonrocks farms at St George which produces garlic, broccoli, onions and cotton, said it was excellent to see reverse trade missions into regional areas.
"The ability to build relationships and potential business opportunities from these events cannot be understated," Mr Moon said.
The trade event was organised by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with Goondiwindi and Balonne Regional Councils, Trade and Investment Queensland (Taiwan), and Austrade (Tokyo).
