About agrifood in NSW
NSW is Australia’s largest consumer market, home to a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure and world-leading technology and innovation. Food and beverage manufacturing employs over 60,000 people in the state and 81% of its landmass is devoted to agriculture.
Extensive road, rail, sea and air infrastructure supports efficient sector supply-chains and fast access to domestic and international markets.
Producing over $9.3 billion of agricultural food and $33.4 billion of manufactured food & beverage products each year.
Advanced research and technology testing capability offers significant opportunities to develop, commercialise and scale solutions.
Supplying consumer markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
A long-standing reputation for food safety and efficient regulation.
Over AU$100 million per year invested in agrifood research and development. The NSW Department of Primary Industries is ranked in the top 1% of agri research organisations worldwide.
Making opportunities happen
Leading research and development, diverse climates and a fast-growing manufacturing industry create safe, high-quality food and beverage, and unparalleled investment opportunities.
Read Video Transcript
Start of Transcript
In New South Wales, a diverse geography and climate supports broad-based agriculture,
food and beverage production.
Our natural environments, and modern production standards, yield high quality premium products
known globally for their flavour, safety and nutrition.
New South Wales is Australia's largest consumer market.
Home to a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure and world-leading technology and innovation.
Food and beverage manufacturing employs over 60,000 people in the state.
New South Wales is also a major commodities producer.
81 per cent of its land mass is devoted to agriculture.
A proven leader in food safety, regulation and innovation, New South Wales hosts strong
R&D capability across industry, government, universities and research institutes.
Established freight and logistics networks are supported by highly developed transport
infrastructure to capitalise upon proximity to major offshore markets.
New South Wales offers a business friendly environment backed by strong institutional
support across precincts, food safety, industrial and agricultural production, innovation and
R&D, workforce development and skills, circular economy, advocacy, business programs and incentives.
Find out more about the opportunities New South Wales can create for you.
End of Transcript
Supporting Food & Beverage Start-ups at Fine Food Australia
The NSW Government has been supporting the Food & Beverage manufacturing sector through its presence at Fine Food Australia since 2001. Fine Food Australia is the largest food and beverage industry trade show in Australia. The NSW Government continues to assist innovative Food & Beverage manufacturers by offering NSW businesses the opportunity to apply for one of twelve Exhibitor booth subsidies in the Flavours of NSW Zone. Applications for the Exhibitor subsidies for Fine Food Australia 2023 have closed. The NSW Government will soon be announcing the niche NSW food and beverage manufacturers exhibiting within the Flavours of NSW zone for 2023. Subscribe to our Flavours of NSW newsletter for further updates.
Meet the NSW exhibitors from Fine Foods Australia 2023.
Meet the NSW exhibitors from Fine Foods Australia 2022.
Flavours of NSW Catalogue
Sponsored by the NSW Government and powered by the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL), the Flavours of NSW Catalogue connects international buyers with world-class NSW food and beverage companies.
Register to view or showcase NSW productsExternal Link
Eligible NSW businesses can apply for free support to expand to new international markets. The Program is intensive and requires participants to be actively engaged for 4 to 6 months. It offers participants many benefits including:
- an understanding of market dynamics
- practical approaches for doing business in the target market
- opportunities to identify and engage with new customers in the target market
- opportunities for networking with global businesses and entrepreneurs
- opportunities for global promotion
- opportunities for peer interaction with the businesses in your cohort.
For more information on Going Global
Upcoming Events
Fine Food AustraliaExternal Link is the largest food industry trade show in the southern hemisphere, with over 1,000 exhibitors and 20,000 trade visitors from over 50 countries. Connect with us at the Flavours of NSW zone to discover the diverse food and beverage manufacturing capabilities of NSW. The next event will be held on 11-14 September 2023 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney.
Thinkfood LIVEExternal Link is Australia’s first exhibition and trade conference dedicated to supporting the new product development cycle, food technology and industry innovation. Exhibitors will include ingredients suppliers, flavour houses, creative and research agencies. The inaugural event will take place on 25-26 October 2023 at the Carriageworks in Sydney.
Working with business to promote growth
NSW offers a business-friendly environment backed by strong institutional support across:
- industrial and technology precincts
- food safety
- industrial and agricultural production
- innovation, research and development
- workforce development and skills
- circular economy
- industry advocacy
- business programs and incentives
Food production and agricultural technology are major priorities for the NSW Government under its 2040 Economic BlueprintExternal Link .
The NSW Government is positioning Western Sydney to become the national capital for advanced manufacturing, with a collaborative research and development centre at the core of the state’s new Western Sydney Aerotropolis .
A world-class agribusiness precinct in the Aerotropolis will support production of sustainable, high-quality, fresh produce and pre-prepared consumer foods, and incorporate the high-speed supply chain infrastructure associated with the new 24/7 airport.
The NSW Government is also developing regional Special Activation PrecinctsExternal Link . These precincts are strategically located near major commodity growing regions with access to global transport and logistics and research and development capability. Special Activation Precincts offer accelerated planning approvals, government-led infrastructure investment and studies, and business concierge services.
Contact us
Contact Investment NSW to start making your opportunities happen in NSW.
Our dedicated team work offer free, confidential and personalised support to businesses who want to learn more about agrifood, and how your organisation can benefit from working in NSW.
Stay up-to-date
Our newsletter, Flavours of NSW, keeps you up-to-date on what’s happening in the agrifood industry in NSW.