CRAFT brewers and gin distillers from South East Queensland are set to begin exporting to China, thanks, in part, to the efforts of state agency Trade and Investment Queensland.
Senior buyers from Chinese food importer and distributor Shanghai Kingfoods Condiment visited Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain and the Sunshine Coast two months ago.
TIQ staff in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast collaborated to connect businesses to this export opportunity.
Three representatives from Shanghai Kingfoods checked out ten Queensland food and beverage producers from various locations, including craft breweries, gin distilleries and a snack food manufacturer.
TIQ Sunshine Coast trade and investment officer Ross Tilly said it was a great opportunity for the local businesses to build a personal rapport with a major Chinese importer and distributor.
“When working with Asian markets, there is a high emphasis on building a trusted relationship before the business gets done,” Mr Tilly said.
“Having face-to-face meetings with the business owners, inspecting their premises, tasting the product and seeing how it’s made is an important part of creating these strong bonds.”
On the Sunshine Coast, the buyers visited several companies including Noosa Beverages, Noosa Beer and Brewing Company and Fortune Distillery.
The visits were a success for both Queensland and the visitors, with Shanghai Kingfoods ordering gin, rum, ginger beer and wine from the companies they met.
The successful Queensland companies are new exporters to the China market and should be shipping their orders in September.
Increasing Queensland exports is one of the key targets of the Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2017–2022.
