WA Agrifood Firms Join North Asia Trade Events

• WA agrifood and beverages showcased at trade events in South Korea and Japan
• North Asia a key market for WA agrifood exports, particularly premium products
• Cook Government diversifying the Western Australian economy so it remains strongest in the nation

Opportunities to expand Western Australian food and beverage exports in North Asia are being pursued this month with the support of the Cook Government, which is backing trade missions to South Korea and Japan.

Sixteen WA businesses are participating at one or both of the North Asia trade events, being an Austrade promotion in Seoul on 5-6 March and the region's premier food and beverage trade exhibition, FOODEX Japan in Tokyo on 9-13 March.

The participating businesses will benefit from in-market briefings, business matching meetings, retail market tours, and networking with key buyers and retailers.

South Korea and Japan are important markets for WA products, with strong demand for high-quality, safe, and nutritious premium food.

The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement has eliminated tariffs on many products, facilitating exports of wheat, seafood, dairy, malt, barley, and red meat worth $766 million in 2024-25 - making it WA's fifth-largest market for agrifood and fisheries exports.

WA will also have a dedicated stand in the Australian pavilion at FOODEX Japan, which attracts more than 1,500 international exhibitors and 30,000 visitors from across the region.

Japan was WA's second-largest agrifood market in 2024-25, with total exports valued at $1billion, including wheat, canola, barley, beef, seafood, and avocados.

The two missions build on the success of previous out-bound and in-bound activations supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Invest and Trade WA to help establish WA as a reliable supplier of a diverse range of products.

As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"These missions are a great platform for WA businesses to promote products while establishing commercial supply relationships, gaining deeper market insights, and building capacity and confidence to pursue export leads.

"WA is well placed to satisfy these markets, with close proximity to Asia and short shipping times to some of the world's largest markets.

"The Cook Government is working hard to boost WA's strategic presence in the international marketplace as part of its Diversify WA strategy, helping businesses capture a share of global demand for clean, sustainably produced, premium products."

Seoul, South Korea WA product display

FOODEX Japan display