BANANA PRAWNS FOR KOREA

Despite an appreciating Aussie Dollar, real opportunities for Queensland agriculture have been derived from the Year of Friendship between Korea and Australia.

According to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin, the long-standing and valuable relationship between Australia and the Republic of Korea will benefit Queensland’s food producers.

Exporters including A Raptis and Son and Seafarm signed a contract that will see them net $1.25 million to supply wild caught banana prawns to the Shinsegae Group.

“They (Shinsegae Group) also imported more than $60 million worth of Queensland beef products last year and for the first time, mangoes were exported to South Korea,” says Mulherin.

“This is a great opportunity to continue to grow our relationship here in Queensland with our fourth largest export market, valued at $4.7 billion a year to the Queensland economy.”

Mulherin says he’s committed to growing Queensland’s reputation as a clean, green producer.

“Queensland’s clean, green produce has an incredible reputation in South Korea to be of high-quality, healthy and attractive to the discerning consumer,” he says.

Mulherin says members of the delegation were pleased to hear that Queensland is still open for business and fresh produce exports, despite enduring a few challenging months of natural disasters.

“Queensland agriculture has taken a hit from recent floods and cyclones, but the outlook is good for many producers and we want to do everything we can to help those producers promote their products in Australia and overseas – letting the world know we are back in business,” he says.

“In my meeting with the Shinsegae Group, I reassured them of Queensland’s continued ability to increase our exports of high-quality Queensland products. Throughout this year of friendship, we will continue to use opportunities like this to promote growth of Queensland’s fresh produce exports.

“2011 is the Year of Friendship between Australia and the Republic of Korea, which recognises and celebrates 50 years of trade and friendship between the two countries.”