South Australia will actively pursue the Asian market for export of its crisping and seed potatoes.
Outcomes from a Potatoes South Australia in-market supply chain analysis into the market potential in Malaysian and Thailand were delivered at an event in Adelaide earlier this month.
The industry body received $35,000 through the SA Department of State Development in addition to $10,000 committed by Primary Industries and Regions South Australia and $15,000 through the South Australian Potato Industry Trust to explore the business possibilities between the state and Asian nations.
Potatoes SA CEO Robbie Davis said the report made clear that a co-ordinated approach would benefit the industry the most.
Ms Davis said Thailand was identified as a market for both seed and crisping potatoes, while Malaysia has a demand for crisping potatoes.
Also coming through the analysis was the importance of marketing on the quality front, not price.
SA minister for agriculture, food and fisheries Leon Bignell was at the recent celebratory event and agreed the region's high profile potato reputation should be at the forefront of making Asian inroads.
SA minister for investment and trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said the growth markets were identified in a Federal Department of Agriculture report entitled Export Strategy for Australian Potatoes 2014-2019.
South Australia is the nation’s largest producer, with farm gate production worth more than $206 million.
Ms Davis said the next step will be to write a strategy from the outcomes.
