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India gets first taste of Australian blueberries and lamb

Fresh Australian blueberries and tender Aussie lamb were tried and tasted by potential importers during an Australia-India dinner hosted by Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker.

“Australia Business Week in India (ABWI) is a great opportunity to promote Australian agricultural produce, especially for the Australian blueberry and sheepmeat industries, with delegates from these industries on the ground in India this week to promote the best Australia has to offer” Minister Hartsuyker said.

Minister Hartsuyker said Australian blueberries have been showcased for the first time at ABWI since gaining market access.

“The Australian Government secured market access for blueberry farmers to India in October 2015—turning what’s written on paper into a profitable market means building commercial relationships and that takes time.

“Judging by the reaction to the high quality Aussie produce at the dinner, sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia, there will be a lot of interest in developing a strong consumer base in India.

“It was great to see the food retailers and the hospitality industry in Chennai so receptive to the Australian lamb and blueberries that were centre stage on the menu. It was a great springboard from which to build commercial relationships for these commodities into the future.”

Agrifood demand in India is forecast to increase significantly by 136 per cent between 2009 and 2050, according to ABARES research.

“Given that the majority of the Indian population is vegetarian, meat consumption is low but consumption of lamb in India is also expected to increase to US$3.2 billion by 2050,” Minister Hartsuyker said.

“Consumption of fruit is also expected to increase by nearly 250 per cent by 2050 and blueberries, which are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, are well placed to carve out a piece of that market.

​”I know that the blueberry and sheepmeat industries will use this trip to reinforce their credentials as reliable suppliers of high quality product.”

ABWI is taking place across multiple cities in India from 28 August to 1 September 2017. For more information, visit austrade.gov.au/Events/australia-business-week-india-2017.


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