WA Government helps food and beverage businesses meet buyers

The Western Australian Government has connected WA food and beverage businesses with local, national and international buyers to help them get local products onto retail shelves, menus and beverage lists across Australia and around the world.

In its third year, the annual Meet the Buyer trade event held on 24 October in Perth included more than 80 exhibitors showcasing over 530 WA food and beverage products to around 200 prospective buyers.

Combined, the food and beverage manufacturing and foodservice sectors in WA employ more than 100,000 people with an annual turnover of $16 billion.

The initiative is part of the state government’s Buy West Eat Best food and beverage labelling program.

Since the event first started in 2021, more than 1400 food and beverage businesses have taken part and had the opportunity to connect with in excess of 800 buyers.

Products showcased at this year’s event included premium meats, seafoods, seasonal fruit, vegetables, nuts and dairy products as well as olive and canola oils and a unique range of indigenous ice creams and teas.

There was also a wide selection of WA wines, craft beers and ciders, kombucha, ready-to-pour cocktail mixers, cold brew tea and distillery spirits.

“With consumers hungry for locally sourced fresh quality products, Meet the Buyer provides a fantastic platform for our WA food and beverage businesses to explore new product and market opportunities,” said WA’s Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis.

Image credit: iStock.com/fcafotodigital