Media Release: Ten businesses announced as potential international exporters

Ten local businesses are a step closer to securing new domestic and international export markets, after being named in the Shell’s QGC Emerging Exporters Program for 2019.

The ten local businesses were announced as the next successful line-up to be taking part in the program at a dinner in Dalby last night.

These businesses are: Chinchira Super Reds; Hoofprints of Change; Four Daughters Premium Black Angus; Busy Beef Pty Ltd; Riverbend Marketing Pty Ltd; Aussie Pork Suppliers; Aussie Land & Livestock; Haven Farming; DOM Distribution; and Carpendale Commodities.

The Shell’s QGC Emerging Exporters Program is delivered by TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA). The program works with Western Downs and Surat Basin agribusinesses to deliver a tailored educational process with leading industry experts.

TSBE FLA’s Export Manager Geraldine Doumany said, “it gives me great pleasure to be able to officially welcome our ten local businesses, chosen from a range of high calibre candidates, as our 2019 Emerging Exporters Program participants.”

Louise McMahon from one of the successful businesses, Haven Farming, said “our interest in the program stemmed from a desire to challenge traditional practise and get an understanding of diversity in the beef consumer market.”

“After finding out more details around the Emerging Exporters Program, we felt there would be great opportunity to support us on this learning journey and increase our chance of business success in connecting with exporters and end users.”

“It is encouraging to have Shell’s QGC business support all industry in our regional communities through this sort of program.”

Another successful candidate, DOM Distribution has been linking suppliers of agricultural and earthmoving goods, equipment and machinery to international markets from its Dalby headquarters since 2004.

DOM Distribution owner and managing director Pat O’Brien said the Emerging Exporters Program provides a tremendous opportunity to identify new international distribution opportunities within the agricultural export supply chain.

“We’ve been in the import/export game for around 15 years now and we’ve found that every international supply opportunity has a unique set of intricacies to navigate and certain barriers to break down,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world; demand for fresh Australian produce and the equipment required to increase domestic production in Asia can vary dramatically from region to region.”

“Even with a heavy investment in market research, determining which emerging regions to target can be problematic.”

“We’re hoping this program will help successfully identify sustainable new export markets in which we can build long-term distribution relationships for producers, growers and manufacturers whose goods have strategic proximity to the transport hub that passes through the Western Downs.”

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor McVeigh, who took part in an expert panel discussion at the launch dinner, said Emerging Exporters Program was a well-targeted program that assisted local businesses to capitalise on freight opportunities in the region.

“The Emerging Exporters Program represents a win for our region in terms of supporting local businesses to further develop their domestic market and access international markets,” Cr McVeigh said.

“I'd like to extend my congratulations to this round of successful participants and I look forward to hearing about newly emerging opportunities for Western Downs products to be marketed internationally.”

“This sends a message to the world that the Western Downs is open for business,” he said.

Shell’s QGC business Operations Manager Angus Hetherington said the Emerging Exporters Program was developed in direct response to community feedback.

“The community told us that supporting businesses and driving regional economic development is important. Last year we were able to assist nine businesses in their export journey and we’re excited to see what the future holds for our 2019 Emerging Exporters,” he said.

TSBE Food Leaders Australia will be releasing videos following the journey of local business as they undertake the Emerging Exporters Program over the next 12 months.

To find out more about the program please visit: https://www.tsbe.com.au/emerging-exporters-program