New trade connections between Western Australian food and beverage businesses and potential customers have been formed at China’s food and beverage trade exhibition.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), together with the Invest and Trade WA China Office, coordinated the WA Showcase display at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, featuring 24 local brands. Participants represented wine, beverages, seafood, honey, horticulture, fibre, apparel and packaged goods.
DPIRD supported the delegation with a market retail tour, business matching and information briefing sessions to help open doors to future trade relationships.
“WA received a great reception from international buyers, who were particularly interested in our premium packaged goods offerings and seafood,” said DPIRD primary industries trade manager Joan Lim.
“The China International Import Expo has once again demonstrated how important this market is for us to tell our provenance story, build relationships with potential customers and lay the foundations to export growth.”
This marks the fourth time Western Australia has taken part in the expo, which attracts more than 450,000 local and international buyers. China remains Western Australia’s largest market for agrifood, fisheries and forestry exports, valued at $3.14 billion in 2024–25.
“This is the first time WA has exhibited in China since the wine and lobster trade restrictions were lifted, which continue to be very popular with CIIE visitors,” added Lim.
The China expo is one of several DPIRD-supported trade initiatives promoting Western Australian businesses this year, alongside HOFEX Hong Kong, Food and Hotel Asia Singapore, FOODEX Japan and Gulfood UAE.