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Executive summary

Food provides significant wealth and prosperity for South Australia.

Gross Food Revenue has been growing at an average of five per cent per annum over the past decade and reached a record high of $12.4 billion in 2008/09.

Collectively the industry provides a sizable contribution to our economy via our domestic and overseas consumption. Domestic consumption remains the dominant market for South Australian food based on value. However, overseas exports reached $2.38 billion in 2008/09 with finished food exports being a shining symbol for the State’s food sector, growing by an average of 6.8% per annum since the life of the SA Food Plan.

The food industry provided an employment opportunity for 146 000 or 1 in 5 South Australians
in 2008/09.

The content of the South Australian Food Strategy has been developed as a result of extensive consultation with numerous stakeholders within industry and Government. The recommendations of Thinker in Residence, Professor Andrew Fearne, have been considered and embedded within the Strategy.

To remain internationally competitive, the industry must continue to meet consumer expectations by being sustainable, well managed and consumer driven. The Strategy is applicable to whole food
value chain – starting from the consumer and working back through retail, distribution and processing to the producer.

Six priorities have been developed by industry and government for the South Australian Food Strategy 2010-2015 to enhance the growth and maintenance of the South Australian food industry.

These priorities were informed by an analysis of the global business environment and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the South Australian food industry.

  1. Consumer insight and market development – understanding the consumer and having the ability to capture opportunities in a wide variety of markets will be vital.
  2. Enhancing knowledge, collaboration and leadership – having the capability, skills and knowledge to work in a changing environment will be critical. Underpinning this will be the need to collaborate.
  3. Enhancing capacity and productivity – improving productivity and having a business environment that encourages investment is essential in ensuring the ability to compete.
  4. Optimising environmental sustainability – managing the limited natural resources (water, land, marine and biodiversity) is fundamental in moving forward.
  5. Leading in product integrity – Providing safe and wholesome food to enhance consumer confidence and satisfy market expectations is essential in maintaining and growing markets.
  6. Fostering regional and sector development – South Australia has a number of unique regional and sector attributes that can drive growth.