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Queensland's food and agribusiness industry
Queensland's food and agribusiness sectors are world-renowned for producing high-quality, safe, clean and green food at competitive prices. Many Australian and international food companies have established processing facilities in Queensland to take advantage of the range and quality of local produce, and the proximity to Asia-Pacific markets.
Queensland's thriving food and agribusiness industry:
- grows one-third of Australia's primary produce
- is the second most important export commodity earner
- contributes more than $16.8 billion to the state economy.
Queensland's food and agribusiness industry processes and manufactures many different food-related products, characterised by 2 categories:
- Food processing and manufacturing
- fruit and vegetables
- value-added products such as ingredients and ready-to-eat meals
- dairy foods
- dessert and confectioneries
- beverages
- Meat and meat producing manufacturing
- meats including fresh seafood.
This guide explains the benefits of investing in Queensland's food and agribusiness industry.
Advantages of bringing food and agribusiness enterprises to Queensland
There are many advantages to bringing your food and agribusiness enterprise to Queensland, including a favourable climate and proximity to the Asia-Pacific market.
Location
Queensland has a number of major food manufacturing regions across the state, including South East Queensland, the Darling Downs, South Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett, Central Queensland, North Queensland and West Queensland. These regions offer competitively priced sites and are strategically located close to producers of raw materials and existing transport infrastructure.
Queensland is geographically close to the high-growth Asia-Pacific region and has 5 international airports to allow products to get to market faster. These factors make Queensland an ideal location for food and agribusiness production facilities.
Climate
Queensland's range of temperatures and ideal food growing conditions can produce a wide range of food products in opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere, meeting international customer demand.
Quarantine
Australia's stringent quarantine policies and food management practices allow Queensland to be free from many of the serious animal and plant pests that afflict other parts of the world.
Education and training
Queensland has a number of world-class universities and colleges that offer courses related to the food and agribusiness industry. These institutions include:
- Queensland University of Technology
- The University of Queensland
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Griffith University
- Central Queensland University
- University of Southern Queensland
- Queensland College of Wine Tourism
- TAFE Queensland.
Research and development (R&D)
The Queensland Government has developed the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains and the Ecosciences Precinct at Dutton Park. These precincts have identified functional food as a key area of research.
Queensland produces a number of functional food products that promote health and wellbeing, and can also play a role in disease prevention. To be classified as a functional food, a product needs to have undergone an enrichment process, such as the addition of vitamins, and serve a particular function for consumer health. Consumer demand for functional foods continues to increase as more is understood about the relationship between diet and specific health issues.
Queensland also has many alternative foods, including rainforest and bush foods. The alternative food industry is supported by Queensland's biodiversity, climate, and the horticulture sector.
Learn more about innovation, research and development in Queensland.
Also consider...
- Learn more about Queensland's food and beverage industry and agriculture industry.
- Read about Queensland's manufacturing industry.
- Learn more about development projects in Queensland.
- Read about the benefits of doing business in Queensland.
Leading food and agribusinesses in Queensland
There are a number of world-class food and agribusiness companies with offices and processing facilities in Queensland, including:
- Carlton United Breweries (subsidiary of the Foster's Group) – global beverage company
- Castlemaine Perkins (subsidiary of Lion) – iconic Brisbane Fourex (XXXX) brewery
- Coca-Cola Amatil – Australia's most modern beverage production facility at Richlands, Brisbane
- Gourmet Garden – specialises in processed herbs and spices for the retail and food service markets
- Nestle Australia – has a production plant for coffee processing and Chalet Patisserie products
- NH Foods Australia – one of Japan's leading meat companies
- Parmalat Professional (formerly Pauls) – major manufacturer of dairy products within Australia
- Smith's Snackfood Company – global company with world-first production technology facilities.
Also consider...
- Read more about Queensland's food and beverage industry and agriculture industry.
- Learn about Queensland's manufacturing industry.
- Find out about development projects in Queensland.
- Read about the benefits of doing business in Queensland.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021