Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, has touched down in Japan on the first leg of a north Asian visit designed to promote trade between Australia and key trading partners in the region.
"This visit to Japan, South Korea and Vietnam is about strengthening our economic relationships and our people to people ties," Minister McKenzie said.
"The Australian Government's role is to work collaboratively and respectfully with partner governments to facilitate mutually beneficial market access arrangements for our products and services.
"It's then up to our businesses, including those in the agricultural sector, to promote our safe, high quality product in those markets and to develop enduring commercial relationships.
"That's why I'm pleased to be joined on this trip by Australian representatives from key commodity groups who are looking to promote Australia as a reliable, clean, quality partner, able to provide food and fibre that is second to none.
"Our first stop is Japan, a critically important market for Australia's farmers because of our long-standing relationship which has helped Japan become our second largest agricultural export market, worth $6 billion in 2018.
"Today I'm visiting Rokko Butter, Japan's largest processed dairy company that sources 50 per cent of its supply from Australia. It's a tangible example of the sort of outcomes we can achieve for both nations when businesses work together. Japanese consumers have access to safe, high quality Australian dairy that in turn can help build demand for the company's products.
"The Free Trade Agreements the Liberal National Government has negotiated with both Japan and the Republic of Korea give us all a strong platform to build on.
"And Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in Vietnam only days ago talking about our shared ambition to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with Vietnam this year and increased the number of working holiday maker visa places for Vietnamese nationals from 200 to 1500.
"This is a great time to be Australia's Agriculture Minister. Our goal of achieving a $100 billion industry by 2030 will be greatly helped by the trade agreements that this government has already negotiated, or is in the process of negotiating.
"There is a real opportunity for industry to contribute to this goal and to the prosperity of our trading partners by building relationships in these markets."
Minister McKenzie is travelling from 24 August to 31 August. #AusAgtoAsia
