Food businesses across the north have been put on the international stage following a recent Melbourne visit by a delegation of Chinese buyers.
The group from Chongqing included delegates from Beijing, Chongqing University and major buyers interested in developing links with Melbourne’s north and sourcing food, beverages and associated products from local food and mother and baby manufacturers.
They travelled to Melbourne with the support of the newly established Melbourne’s North Food Group, which is supported by NORTH Link and councils including Whittlesea and Hume.
The visit included a food and beverage expo, a visit to the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market and tours of manufacturing businesses and facilities such as RMIT’s Food Research and Innovation Centre.
Whittlesea mayor Kris Pavlidis said the delegation would hopefully help create ongoing trade partnerships and boost the region’s international economic profile.
“Melbourne’s north is home to more than 400 food and beverage businesses who have an annual turnover of more than $1 million each,” she said.
“We have some wonderful producers in our region and we recognise the opportunity to share these products with the rest of the world.
“Melbourne’s north provides a strategic advantage for transport, logistics and, most importantly, quality product.”
