Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh has officially opened Murray Goulburn Co-operative’s (MG) new office in Dubai, confirming the company’s plans to expand its presence in the region.
In Dubai as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s Super Trade Mission to the Middle East, Walsh said the establishment of the new Murray Goulburn office reinforced major opportunities for growth in exports of Victorian dairy products to the region.
“The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the world’s second largest dairy import region, which currently imports a combined 1.2 million tonnes of dairy product valued at $3.8 billion,” Walsh said.
“MG is 100 per cent farmer-owned and is the largest dairy exporter from Australia. It is also one of the largest container exporters from the Port of Melbourne, generating export revenue of $1.2 billion in 2011-12.
“The company recognises substantial opportunities for export growth in the MENA region and the establishment of a strategic business unit in Dubai will help drive its expanded presence in this rapidly developing market.”
MG managing director Gary Helou said the MENA region represented an exciting opportunity for Australia’s largest dairy company.
“Demand from MENA nations is forecast to grow significantly and the Australian dairy industry is extremely well positioned to play a key role in meeting that demand,” Helou said.
“Exports of Victorian dairy products to the MENA region were worth $285 million in 2011-12, but with Australian dairy accounting for less than 10 per cent of this crucial market, MG believes there is significant untapped potential for future export growth.”
Helou said MG’s presence in Dubai would strengthen relationships with important customers and enable MG to market its products in the region. He said consumers appreciate Australia’s natural pasture-based farming systems and its exemplary food safety record.
The MG office in Dubai is one of four international offices, with other teams based in Tokyo, Ho Chi Min City and Singapore.
MG is participating in the Victorian Coalition Government’s Super Trade Mission to the Middle East, which is the largest ever undertaken by Victoria to this region and features 75 Victorian food and agribusiness companies.
