Government money to boost Queensland export

More Queensland food products are set to find their way to world markets thanks to a $1.3m export grants program.

The Growing Queensland’s Food Exports Program aims to boost Queensland’s regional economies by helping local food producers build export capability.

The second round of the program has awarded grants of up to $100,000 to eight Queensland food companies, including Australian Gulf Seafoods in north Queensland, Ironbark Citrus in Wide Bay and Kominos Wines in the Granite Belt.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said the program helped local producers break into lucrative overseas markets and supply chains.

“This $1.3 million pilot program aims to boost Queensland’s food exports, delivering jobs and economic growth in regional areas,” Mr Furner said.

“By providing matching grants of up to $100,000, [we’re] supporting producers and food businesses to improve their export competitiveness through better understanding of their markets.”

The grants are to be used for a range of projects, including market analysis, shelf-life research, and business trips to investigate overseas markets.

The Growing Queensland’s Food Exports Program focuses primarily on horticulture, and provides grants of $50,000–$100,000, with successful applicants contributing at least 50% of the required project funding.

More than $550,000 in funding was allocated during the previous funding round.

Increasing the state’s share of national exports and strengthening regional economies are both priorities of the Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2017–2022.