Consumer focus for new SA Food Strategy
The South Australian food industry and Government of South Australia have released a new five year strategy for the food industry to boost its growth and international competitiveness.
The new South Australian Food Strategy 2010-2015 – described by one of the State’s leading food industry leaders as a “living, breathing strategy that will benefit the food industry in so many ways” – has been released.
The Strategy is the result of extensive consultation with industry and government and also draws on international expertise, notably the recommendations of previous Adelaide Thinker in Residence, Professor Andrew Fearne. It provides a framework for industry and Government to work collaboratively.
The SA Food Strategy has consumer demand at its heart with a clear vision of ‘South Australian Food – beyond the expectations of consumers around the globe’.
Co-chair of the Premier’s Food Council Executive, Bronwen Gwynn-Jones, said the focus on consumers was an important message for all businesses along the food value chain, from producers and processors right through to retailers.
”Understanding our consumers and going beyond their expectations should be a goal for all businesses and the best way to achieve this is through collaboration – with suppliers, customers, government, researchers, advisors – everyone that is linked to the food industry,” she said.
“Collaboration along the entire food value chain will be fundamental to successfully growing South Australia’s food industry.
“The South Australian food industry is vast in output and relies heavily on small to medium-sized businesses. We, as industry, need to focus on coming together to strengthen our capabilities
and take advantage of market opportunities.”
This means adapting, differentiating and building value along the chain with an increased focus on working together to innovate and improve productivity and competitiveness.
The key targets of the strategy are to:
- Generate $16 billion in Gross Food Revenue by 2015 (up from a record $12 billion achieved last year).
- Increase the food industry’s contribution to South Australia’s wellbeing.
- Reduce the South Australian food industry’s impact on the environment.
Member of the Premier’s Food Council Executive and head of Woodside Cheese Wrights, Kris Lloyd, said the Strategy was far more than just words.
”It is a living, breathing, evolving strategy that aims to help food producers and everyone along the value chain be the very best they can. It can benefit the industry in so many ways.”
Kris said the Strategy would be a hands-on tool for the industry.
”It will be communicated in many ways, directly to producers and everyone along the value chain through the South Australian Food Centre, and a range of ‘food champions’ through a comprehensive marketing strategy.”
The SA Food Strategy features six key priority areas, identified following an analysis of the global business environment and the position of the South Australian food industry.
The priority areas are:
- Consumer insight and market development – understanding consumers and having the ability to capture opportunities in a wide variety of markets.
- Enhancing knowledge, collaboration and leadership – having the capability, skills and knowledge to work in a changing environment - underpinned by the need to collaborate.
- Enhancing capacity and productivity – improving productivity and having a business environment that encourages investment to ensure an ability to compete.
- Optimising environmental sustainability – managing the limited natural resources (water, land, marine and biodiversity) so they’re available for future generations.
- Leading in product integrity – providing safe and wholesome food to enhance consumer confidence and satisfy market expectations to maintain and grow markets.
- Fostering regional and sector development – South Australia has a number of unique regional and sector attributes that can drive growth.
The Premier’s Food Council Executive provided industry leadership in the development of the Strategy and is currently working with Government representatives to develop an operational plan with specific programs for each priority area.
Read the SA Food Strategy 2010-2015
Want to know more?
Contact
Maggie Dowling
PIRSA
p +61 8 8226 0531
e maggie.dowling@sa.gov.au
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