6 years ago
Manuka honey to send new markets buzzing
David Littleproud MP
- $165,000 grant awarded to the Australian Manuka Honey Association.
- Funded under the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program.
- Supporting activities to address emerging issues in international markets and share manuka honey production methods overseas.
Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) received a real sweetener today, through a $165,000 Coalition Government grant to support international market growth for its highly valued medicinal honey.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, said the grant, funded under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, would help Australian producers and exporters raise awareness of the unique quality of Australia’s manuka honey.
“International markets are buzzing over manuka honey, creating real opportunities for our producers,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This funding will support the spread of Australian manuka honey to the medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical markets.
“Industry will be able to share the unique properties of Australian produced manuka honey and to develop a series of materials including a website and visit key markets to share production knowledge.
“These visits are also a great opportunity to promote the origins of Australian manuka honey, which may open the door to an increased market share for its producers.”
Tasmanian Liberal Senator David Bushby said Australian manuka honey was the best in the world.
“This Coalition Government grant will allow the industry to evolve as well as promote its traditional honey in a jar,” Senator Bushby said.
“This is a fantastic announcement that will not only have a positive impact on jobs and the local economy, but also our environment.”
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck said Australia had a long history of producing Manuka honey dating back to the 1930’s from plants originating in Tasmania.
“This funding from the Coalition Government provides important support in reinforcing our place in a unique, valuable and high demand global market.”
The $3.1 million Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program, which funded this project, is centred on making the most of trade deals and market access gains the government has secured.
Fast facts
[if !supportLists]· [endif]23 projects, worth $2.77 million, have been approved so far under ATMAC.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]ATMAC is part of the Coalition Government’s $30.8 million investment to improve access to premium markets in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]In the agriculture portfolio since 1 January 2016, we have had 65 key market access gains or restorations, along with 62 key market access improvements or actions to maintain market access.