Page 13 - Food&Drink magazine April 2022

Bridging the gap
Pandemic-induced restricted travel and ongoing global disruptions have forced many food and beverage businesses to adapt. FIAL general manager Commercial Rod Arenas explains why we need to create new ways of making connections.
THE recent challenge to how the Australian food and beverage industry could connect with international buyers present a substantial opportunity to re-evaluate how we do engage and as a result potentially almost triple the current size of Australia’s food and agribusiness sector.
Opportunities for food and beverage exporters exist predominantly in the high-value processed food sector, as well as whole, organic and functional food, and beverages.
Exporters benefit from Australia’s premium reputation for being a source of high- quality, safe, clean, and green food and beverage products.
TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION
Given recent economic, supply chain and geopolitical challenges, it’s more important than ever for businesses to securestrongandreliable buyer-supplier relationships.
The Fifth Industrial Revolution is poised to underpin a future where those relationships are built on problem-solving and value creation via technology. It holds the key to simplifying this process and reaching buyers in a whole new way.
It is why FIAL developed the
Australian Food & Beverage Catalogue (AFBC), a free
interactive platform connecting qualified domestic and international buyers with export-ready Australian food and beverage suppliers.
The AFBC is a one-stop-shop for buyers to see exactly what Australian businesses can offer them, with concise supplier profiles highlighting how they operate and market themselves, as well as the range of products they have to offer.
The platform includes features such as product videos, an instant chat function, and the ability for buyers to submit sourcing requests to find and procure specific products, making it easy for businesses to have a targeted approach to global growth.
From a supplier perspective, the AFBC enables businesses to overcome the hurdle of travel disruptions while maintaining and even increasing connection tointernationalmarkets.
Online market events such as FIAL’s Virtual Meet the Buyer program, have been crucial for Australian suppliers and international buyers looking to forge business relationships, despite global travel restrictions
Australian suppliers need to engage in long-term relationships with their buyers not only to strengthen their position in today’s highly
“ Australian suppliers need to engage in long-term relationships with their buyers not only to strengthen their position in today’s highly competitive and fast-paced business environment, but to create value for both parties.”
competitive and fast-paced business environment, but to create value for both parties.
The management of such relationships requires resources andcanbeacomplextask, particularly when people are located all around the globe.
But this is what it is all about. It is how we drive the industry, provide opportunities, and build capabilities for the sector overall. At the end of the day, it is about helping grow the value of Australian food and agri businesses, and creating jobs.
It is about selling more Australian products into the
global marketplace and showcasing how we punch well above our weight in the production of high quality, innovative, and delicious food anddrinks. ✷
✷ ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
Rod Arenas is the general manager of Commercial at food & agribusiness growth centre FIAL. Rod has more than 10 years of buying and category
management experience, with extensive industry knowledge of both the local and international food and agribusiness markets.
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | April 2022 | Food&Drink business | 13
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