OYSTER farmers up and down the NSW South Coast are already seeing the financial benefits of the push into Asia by Australia’s Oyster Coast.
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Australia’s Oyster Coast, a young and innovative NSW company with generations of oyster growing experience, was officially launched in China on the weekend in that country’s seafood capital, Guangzhou.
Attending the launch was NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres, as well as a couple of local growers and Australia’s Oyster Coast export manager Andrew Wales
Travelling along for the AOC launch in Guangzhou were Merimbula oyster farmer Brett Weingarth and Clyde River oyster farmer Jade Norris.
Narooma oyster farmer and AOC board member David Maidment meanwhile several weeks back travelled to Hong Kong and Singapore on behalf of AOC to meet with seafood buyers and chefs in those cities.
He met with chefs from large hotel chains and top restaurants as well as distributors of seafood and a big part of his taste sessions was introducing the buyers to Sydney rock oysters.
The Asian market was used to Pacific oysters, which are grown around the world, but the Sydney rocks and native Angasi flat oysters were definitely something new and exciting for them.
“The chefs over there are astute food buyers and want to know the story behind their food and are happy to pay a bit more if they know the region, the estuary and even the grower it has come from,” Mr Maidment said.
“Getting down to even the lease where these oysters are grown all adds to the provenance.”
Mr Maidment said Wagonga Inlet at Narooma had yet to be approved for export, but he expected the approval to come through any week now.
And this should translate into a financial boost for growers, as the AOC was able to ask top dollar for the export oysters to Asia.
AOC was offering its growers a lot more for the same product that would be sold locally as the company could ask more from the buyers in the Asia, cutting out the “middle man”.
“We’re offering nearly double of what they can get locally,” he said.
Oysters from AOC growers from the Shoalhaven all the way down to Pambula are already being packaged at the company’s facility at Albion Park.
And having the brand name and quality control ensured top quality for the buyers.
AOC has already sent over about 100 dozen Sydney rock oysters, 300 to 400 dozen Pacific oysters and a smaller quantity of Angasi oysters to Hong Kong, Singapore and now China.
And the oysters were of particular good quality at the moment.
“I’ve never seen them so good – they’re absolutely beautiful and top shelf stuff,” he said.
Mr Maidment said China was not initially on the radar for AOC but the recent Free Trade Agreement with Australia had definitely opened some doors.
Australia already had an excellent reputation as a supplier of top quality produce and these were very international food markets with oysters coming from all the over the world – from the USA, Europe and even Africa.
The buyers were always looking to expand their supply chains, so the AOC concept should prove very successful over coming years, he said.
Minister launches AOC in China
Australia’s Oyster Coast chairman David Trebeck said the company had recently commenced its Chinese export program of premium grade fresh oysters, building on the company’s earlier export success in Hong Kong and Singapore.
“The company has a strong focus on quality and high standards to ensure only premium products reach the market place here in China,” Mr Trebeck said.
“We appreciate the generous support of Minister Ayres, the New South Wales Government and Austrade in working with us in these sophisticated and competitive markets.”
Forty five of Australia’s leading oyster growers are shareholders in the new company operating across eight estuaries south of Sydney.
Australia’s Oyster Coast region is unique as it produces three varieties of premium oysters, including the Sydney Rock Oyster, the rare Angasi “flat oyster” and the popular Pacific Oyster.
These oysters are grown under rigorous environmental management systems in some of the world’s cleanest waters by passionate oyster growers with generations of experience.
“Australia’s Oyster Coast is a great example of the excellence of New South Wales producers and I am delighted to launch their export program in China today,” Minister Ayres said.
“Here and internationally, consumers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from, who produces it and how it is grown. Australia’s Oyster Coast has tapped into this consumer sentiment.
“Not only are they producing world class oysters, they are showcasing the best of New South Wales to the world with a provenance focused brand underpinned by the development of an Oyster Trail.”
The Australia’s Oyster Coast Trail is an emerging tourist destination that extends for over 300 kilometres along some of Australia’s most beautiful coastline.
Mr Trebeck said the trail allowed visitors to taste the distinctive and exceptional flavours of world-class oysters, learn about oyster cultivation from oyster growers, and experience the natural beauty of Australia’s Oyster Coast first-hand.
“We are delighted with how well our product and brand has been received in Guangzhou,” he said.
“The Chinese market is familiar with Pacific oysters and we are confident ours are among the world’s best.
“On the other hand, Sydney Rock Oysters and Angasi oysters are relatively new to the Chinese market and we have been impressed with the level of interest and sales.
“We are determined to partner with the best restaurants in China to deliver a great product and a unique experience for their customers.
“We hope to see these customers on the Australia’s Oyster Coast Trail in the not too distant future.”
More information on Australia’s Oyster Coast can be found at www.australiasoystercoast.com
