Page 43 - Food&Drink Business magazine September 2022

1980S – AUSTRALIA BECOMES MORE COMPETITIVE
1990S – THE RISE OF THE NEW ECONOMY
The 1980s were bookended by two recessions and a stock market crash. But in the years between, Australia experienced an economic boom, with 1985 and 1986 particularly eventful.
These years saw a sharp
fall in both the terms of
trade and the exchange
rate, which strengthened the case for economic reform and paved the way for a raft of changes to enable Australia to better compete on the world stage.
Floating the Australian dollar created an opportunity for manufacturing exporters to take their first steps into international markets by making manufacturing exports more competitive.
Meanwhile, trade policy took centre stage with the release of the 1989 Asia Report, which advocated for closer trade ties with countries in Northeast Asia.
Back in the nation’s capital, the Department of Foreign Affairs merged with the Department of Trade to form the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 1986, the Australian Trade Commission, or Austrade, was established.
ANTICO INTERNATIONAL: WINNER OF AUSTRALIAN EXPORT AWARD, 1986
Antico International is an exporter, importer and wholesaler of fresh fruit and vegetables. It started with a single fruit shop in Sydney’s Mascot and quickly moved from local providore to global food exporter.
The company was one of the first to put same-day, farm-fresh deliveries onto air pallets and sea containers including stone fruits and vegetables like broccoli, lettuce and cauliflower.
Antico founders and brothers Tony and Attilio (known as John) are still involved in the business and CEO Hugh Molloy has been with the company for 27 years.
John Antico says winning the award in 1986 contributed to growing the business.
“It opened the doors of growers, new customers, and government agencies, both here and abroad. It also contributed to the expansion of exporting Australian fresh produce to an ever-opening world.
“Most importantly, the award represented recognition from our peers that our decades of effort to connect the world to the best of Australian produce had been appreciated,” Antico says.
As the 1990s kicked off, Australia’s trade landscape was changing. The beginnings of a shift away from manufacturing and agriculture towards services was underway. By the end of the decade, services were a valuable export earner for the nation, making up just under a quarter of total exports.
Trade liberalisation continued well into the 1990s. We saw further marketing scheme deregulation for export commodities like wool, wheat, meat, and dairy.
Tassal’s senior manager of International Salmon Brian Keenan says domestic growth has played a part in that.
“The fresh salmon industry in Australia has experienced enormous domestic growth over the last three decades. The combination of domestic market growth and local supply commitments has meant export volumes have fluctuated,” Keenan says.
Recognition of its achievements through the Australian Export Awards provides a rewards, Keenan says.
TASSAL: AUSTRALIAN EXPORT AWARDS WINNER, 1993 Tassal is Australia’s largest producer of Tasmanian-grown Atlantic salmon and pioneered the salmon farming industry in Australia 35 years ago. It has recently been acquired by Canadian aquaculture company Cooke.
Tassal employs around 1700 people across Australia, with Tasmania a major region for the business. In the state, one in 20 Tasmanians work directly or indirectly in the salmon industry.
2021/22 has been Tassal’s most successful export year in its history, but reaching that point has not followed a straight line.
“International customers are always looking for key benefits and features to promote our product within their markets. Well-recognised national awards like the Australian Export Awards assist in providing an additional level of validation.
“It instils pride within the business and particularly with the key stakeholders involved with the export program. It also creates a sense of accomplishment and recognition for numerous employees in our organisation,” Keenan says.
For more information on the awards visit exportawards.gov.au. This year’s winners will be announced in November. ✷
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | September 2022 | Food&Drink business | 43
FOOD EXPORT