At the fourth annual Meet the Makers event on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 95 food and beverage businesses showcased their products.
Sunshine Coast Council councillor Jason O’Pray said the food and beverage industry is worth $700 million to the region, with more than 900 businesses operating in the sector.
“We are officially the craft beer capital of Australia, with 21 craft breweries here and the region is rapidly being recognised as one of the most dynamic locations for new food and agribusiness investment in Australia.
“Over the last decade there has been a 23 per cent increase in the economic value of agriculture and demand expected to grow significantly from Asian markets with the advent of Free Trade Agreements with Japan, China and Korea,” O’Prey said.
Food & Drink Business attended the event and a media famil to the region through the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN).
FAN board chair Jacqui Price said FAN is the fastest growing not for profit food and agribusiness cluster in Australia.
While Meet the Makers showcased FAN members, the Turbine Precinct was also a hot topic, having just secured a further $33 million for the project.
Price said Turbine will be an epicentre for scaling food and beverage businesses.
“Our goal is ‘Let’s get small business big’. If you can create an environment that provides the infrastructure like waste streams, logicians, warehousing, even base manufacturing, and you share the cost of that, then you have more money to have the competitive edge - so you can invest in your packaging, branding and distribution,” Price said.
Recently appointed project director Frances Cayley explained Turbine is the first purpose built, collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct in Australia.
“Phase one will be a 1700 square metre beverage manufacturing facility and 3000 square metre office and hospitality space.
“We’re finalising aspects of the site now, located at the Sunshine Coast airport. The airport will be critical for Turbine as it will provide direct links to export markets including New Zealand and South-East Asia.
“Businesses are also registering their interesting in becoming a tenant. When we are closer to completion of the build, we will have an expression of interest process to ensure we get the right type of businesses in the precinct,” Cayley said
Dynamic businesses focused on innovation
COYO organic coconut yoghurt was an industry disruptor when it launched in 2009. Today it represents 30 per cent of sales in the Australian plant-based yoghurt sector.
Its yoghurt range and ice creams set the standard for the industry, with numerous awards and recognition globally.
Fënn Foods is one of Australia’s leading premium plant-based food manufacturers, and one of only a handful of brands to be manufactured locally with majority Australian ingredients.
It has recently secured $3 million investment and executive appointments, including new CEO Tony Rowlinson. In 2021, it was number 55 on the Australian Financial Review's fastest growing companies Top 100.
Michael Conrad is founder of Nil Desperandum and Sunshine and Sons distillery. Conrad is intent of Nil Desperandum becoming possibly the only organic rum producer in the Southern Hemisphere, while Sunshine and Sons produces a range of gin and vodka.
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Sunshine Coast showcases local talent - Food & Drink Business
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