AgriFutures Australia estimates the gross value of native food production was between $15 million and $25 million at the farm gate in 2010, with significant opportunities for growth.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston said while exports are currently limited, there is growing demand for a range of Australian native foods and botanicals internationally. 

“One project will specifically look to address regulations in Europe and the United States, in addition to global Codex standards, that apply to our native food exports,” Minister Ruston said.

“The other project will develop an application for generally recognised as safe, or GRAS status, for lemon myrtle leaf, which would greatly improve the access this product has to the United States and globally,” she said.

“The government has put a focus on opening access to premium overseas markets to drive profits back through the farmgate for our nation’s producers and growers.”

The Native Food Export Roadmap developed by Australia’s native food industry found substantial potential for the sector to maximise its export opportunities.

Minister Ruston said the government is supporting the industry group Australian Native Food and Botanicals to get these uniquely Australian high-value, high-quality products to overseas consumers.

The PASE program consists of three components: a rebate for eligible export registered establishments in the meat, dairy, fish, eggs, horticulture and grain and plant sectors; a fees and charges review and funding for projects that support market access for small exporters.

The rebate has been applied to all eligible establishments across the meat, dairy, fish, eggs, horticulture and grain and plant sectors, with more than 600 small exporters receiving a rebate on their export registration charges.