The Australian grain industry met with its Asian counterparts in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 5th of March 2024 and Shanghai, China on the 7th of March 2024 at AGIC Asia 2024. Delegates made the most of the opportunity to interact – face to face – under the industry theme of “Reconnecting & Building Value”.

“What a great occasion and an opportunity to reflect on strategic importance and the success of the trade of grain between Asia and Australia and take a moment to acknowledge and understand the people involved in the business” said Andrew Goyder, Chair of Grain Trade Australia who host these popular conferences.

Delegates joined AGIC Asia 2024 from across Asia and Australia, and enthusiastically connected, networked and discussed the topical issues with colleagues, potential customers and suppliers. “The opportunity for suppliers and customers to connect and communicate as an industry is so important in developing cross-industry leadership and culture. This is how understanding, resilience and sustainability with trading partners is fostered and achieved. I must congratulate the industries in Indonesia and China and the AGIC Asia 2024 convenors for delivering this opportunity” Mr Goyder said.

“The growth and health in the Australian grain sector has created a strong platform for continued focus and investment to meet the increasing global food security needs” Mr Goyder said. This sentiment was echoed throughout the content of the AGIC Asia conferences. Insights showed Australia is well positioned from a sustainability perspective and is ably supported by industry, science based and government frameworks that provide confidence and ensure customers demands and expectations of a safe product and an orderly and trusted supply chain.

Insights of Industry experts

AGIC Asia provided an impressive line-up of local and Australian speakers that provided some instructive and interesting insights including:

• The strategic necessity of the grain trade between Australia and the region, as a critical component to regional food security.
• The importance of connecting supply with demand and examining and understanding opportunities to trade was a key message and generated good discussion and awareness.
• Asian economic growth factors, and demographic changes driving and changing demand growth.
• How the Environmental, Social and Governance credentials of Australia’s grain supply chain supports market expectations for sustainable safe food based products.
• The importance of industry to industry and Government to Government collaboration to drive improvements in understanding and harmonization of technical market access requirements to deliver mutual benefits for both Asian customers and the Australian grain industry.
• Australia’s grain production and its supply chain capacity are positioned to provide reliable and sustainable quality grain and grain products to Asia.
• Australia’s proximity, the Australian industry framework and Quality Assurance practices ensure a reliable source of supply and a supply chain build on reputation and trust.

AGIC Asia 2024 continued the tradition of GTA leading Australian industry delegates in Round-Table sessions involving local Government agencies and industry, to strengthen relationships and support the development of mutual trading interests. Mr Goyder emphasized “the Roundtables continue to increase understanding and create opportunities for trade facilitation, improved market access resulting better outcomes for both Asian and Australian industries, at both a commercial and technical level.”

In 2024 AGIC Roundtable sessions were held in Jakarta and Shanghai and are supported by the local Australian Government staff.