MEDIA RELEASE AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR TRADE MARK VAILE
MVT54/99	11 November 1999
Guiding Australian Food Exporters

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today launched a new and innovative food export guide aimed at helping food exporters in the world markets as part of the Supermarket to Asia strategy, the cornerstone of the Government's efforts to improve the competitiveness of Australia's food exports.

"The Food Exporters' Guide is a practical hands-on information source that will help Australian food exporters through the maze of rules and regulations associated with exporting their products," Mr Vaile said at the Food Alliance & Export Round Table talks in Bundaberg.

"Australia's food exports have been one of our real success stories of the nineties. Since 1991 food exports have grown from $10 billion to almost $19 billion in 1998/99.

"Despite the Asian economic crisis Australian food exporters have maintained their market share in the Asia region during tough economic times. In 1998/99 more than $10 billion worth, or some 56 percent, of all Australian food exports went to Asia.

"There are lots of potential new exporters out there and we want to make sure that food exporters get every bit of help from the Government.

"A range of Government agencies is involved in exporting Australian food products. The Food Exporters' Guide sets out the services that the Government provides to exporters as well as advice on how to start exporting.

"The Food Exporters' Guide will also be useful for established food exporters. It tells them who to talk to in the Government when they run into problems," Mr Vaile said.

The Food Exporters' Guide, produced by Supermarket to Asia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is available as a handy pocket size booklet, as an interactive CD-Rom, as well as on the world wide web at www.supermarkettoasia.com.au.

Copies are available from Supermarket to Asia by phoning 02 6270 8800 during business hours.

The Prime Minister's Supermarket to Asia Council seeks to grow Australian food sales to Asia and increase the number of exporters by developing a market-led export culture, removing barriers, building points of product difference, and improving competitiveness through the chain.

For further information contact:

Bruce Mills: 0418 273 475 Maria Harbecke: 02 6270 8804