Up to 18 emerging New South Wales food and beverage producers will be granted $4500 by the state government to exhibit at leading trade show, Fine Food Australia 2025.
Held this year at the ICC Sydney from 8-11 September, Fine Food Australia will support businesses in showcasing their food and drink products directly with suppliers, distributors, as well as retail and hospitality businesses.
Subsidies of $4500 are available to support 18 New South Wales businesses to exhibit within the Flavours of New South Wales zone at the tradeshow, with state government business support experts on hand to facilitate introductions with key industry representatives.
Investment NSW deputy secretary, Rebecca McPhee, said the Fine Food Australia trade show is the biggest event on the industry’s calendar, and in particular for small businesses looking to showcase their unique products to both a domestic and global audience.
“NSW is home to a thriving food and beverage manufacturing industry, with over 4500 businesses and 66,000 employees,” said McPhee.
“Food and beverage manufacturing is the largest manufacturing sector in NSW, and there's a strong appetite for our quality produce both here and around the world. We’re delighted to once again support some of our up-and-coming food and drink businesses to exhibit at Fine Foods and showcase the best flavours that NSW has to offer.”
FIne Food Australia attracts over 26,000 attendees each year from more than 50 countries, with last year marking the event’s 40th anniversary, held at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre with support from the Victorian government.
The Flavours of New South Wales zone was still strongly supported, with the New South Wales government granting $6000 to 12 local businesses to help connect them with prospective buyers.
One of these companies was Ziggy’s Wildfoods, based in Bellingen on the New South Wales mid north coast. The food and beverage producer uses native ingredients to create a range of condiments including jams, sauces and vinegars.
Ziggy’s Wildfoods founder, Gabriel Gutnik, said the contacts and friendships made at the Fine Food Australia trade show had played a massive part in the company’s success.
“When trying to export to a new international market, you face many barriers – there are cultural differences and regulatory challenges, however with the support of the New South Wales government, we were able to make the right connections and pursue growth opportunities,” said Gutnik.
“We now export to Japan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates and that’s all as a direct result of exhibiting at Fine Food Australia and showcasing our premium products.”
Expressions of interest for the subsidy are now open until 12 May 2025, with eligibility guidelines and applications available here.
