June 3, 2011

 

Tatura Milk gains foothold in Saudi Arabia

 

 

Tatura Milk Industries has recently achieved a stronger grip in the Middle East market, after a successful Victorian Government-led trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in March.

 

The trade mission was the first of its kind to Saudi Arabia for the Victorian food industry, and delegates were able to gain first-hand knowledge of trading within this dynamic and sophisticated market.

 

The programme also enabled companies to meet with key local organisations such as supermarket chain Panda Hypermarket and large regional players such as Al Marai Dairy and Saudi Arabian Airlines Catering.

 

Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva said Tatura's success in Saudi Arabia is a strong indication that Victoria's dairy industry is world-class, and that significant opportunities exist for Victorian food and beverage in one of the Middle East's largest nations.

 

"This is a prime example of the opportunities available to Victorian companies to establish solid trade relationships overseas," Dalla-Riva said.

 

"Tatura secured successful business agreements with Saudi food buyers and distributors and will continue to cultivate a long-term relationship with this growing market.

 

"Victoria's capabilities in food and beverage, in terms of servicing market demands are very extensive, and we will continue to promote our local industry globally," Dalla-Riva said.

 

Victoria is Australia's largest food exporting state and is known as the country's food bowl, with more than 2,000 food processing companies.

 

Tatura Milk Industries is a well established dairy processing company, based in northern Victoria, manufacturing quality Australian dairy products for the global market.

 

In addition to processing almost 350 million litres of milk annually, Tatura also manufactures products including infant formula, nutritional powders, cream cheese and commodity milk powders.

 

Paddy Kerrins, Sales Manger of Tatura, said the demand for Victorian dairy ingredients is high.

 

"The food mission was a great success for us. The Saudi Arabian retail sector for dairy presents a broad offering and provides competitive pricing, allowing for Victorian and Australian products to be featured. The buyers we met throughout our trip were very receptive to Victorian produce and supportive of the range on offer," Kerrins said.