A major Indonesian supermarket chain has made its first foray into Australia to scout for fresh foods to import. Buyers and senior executives from Indonesia's Hero Supermarkets group have been in northern Tasmania to see, touch and taste produce fresh from the farm and the fishing nets.
Hero is the second largest supermarket chain in Indonesia and is growing rapidly, opening an average of three new stores each week.
Executive director of operations, Marc Marius Ferrer says after visiting strawberry and blueberry farms and apple orchards in Tasmania's north east and vegetable producers in the north west, Hero is interested in sourcing lines of fresh fruit and vegetables from the state.
"This visit is a big visit for my company because Tasmania has a lot of possibilities for developing some fresh products," he said. "I think there are a lot of possibilities for organic products and very good products for health, for kids and the people.
The Hero Supermarkets group runs supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores in the main Indonesian islands from Papua to Sumatra, and has been importing produce for 30 years from all over the world.
Operations manager for Hero Supermarkets 'Giant' chain, Sariyo Sariyo, says the market is expanding and, as a close neighbour, Tasmania has much to offer. "Our customers demand now is getting higher and higher," Sariyo said. "Before we introduce it to the Indonesian market it's better that we come and see and experience the taste and the feel and the look, so that we can explain it better when we return to Indonesia."
Indonesia Australia Business Council vice-president Peter Craven says he is confident trade in Tasmanian vegetables, meat and seafood will result from the visit, and replace some Chinese produce in the Hero Groups' stores.
"We've got a great opportunity now to replace the Chinese product with product from Tasmania," Peter Craven said. "Price-wise it seems to be competitive but quality-wise it's significantly better and that's what they're looking for."
