International delegates have toured businesses and visited key destinations across the North Coast as part of a NSW Government trade mission aimed at strengthening international trade and investment opportunities.
The mission is promoting the region’s export capability and investment potential, with delegates meeting business owners and exploring industries that contribute to economic growth across regional NSW.
Acting Executive Director of the Regional Economic Development Network Craig Jenkins said the 13-member delegation, representing China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore and Switzerland, had engaged directly with local businesses and toured production facilities.
“Our delegation is focused on building meaningful connections with global partners and opening new pathways for trade, and this initiative highlights our commitment to supporting local industries, attracting investment, and positioning the regional NSW as a destination of choice for business,” Jenkins said.
The North Coast’s growing population, transport links to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, and established tourism sector make it an attractive destination for investment and export growth. The delegation has visited the Akubra workshop in Kempsey and LED manufacturer Planet Lighting in Bellingen, and is also travelling to Corindi, Woodburn, Chinderah and Tumbulgum.
One of the businesses featured on the tour is Costa Group’s berry operation at Corindi, which spans about 300 planted hectares, including blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Costa exports blueberries to several Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Costa Berry Category General Manager Rob King said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the company’s production capability and export credentials.
“We are pleased to welcome delegates from this Trade Mission to showcase our premium berries and our innovative growing practices,” King said.
“Costa’s export capability is supported by premium quality produce, strong logistics and cold-chain management, and deep market knowledge. We look forward to exploring new markets and opportunities.”
The visit marks the eighth trade mission hosted in regional NSW under the state government’s program to promote trade, investment and export opportunities while supporting regional economic development.
In Woodburn, biotechnology company SeaO2Nutrition is showcasing its production of Nannochloropsis microalgae, which is used in food and nutrition products.
SeaO2Nutrition co-founder Gian Minns said exposing international delegates to regional innovation could help open new opportunities.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring this to market. Bringing global trade representatives to see, first-hand, the innovation, quality, and capacity of NSW’s leading foods businesses is like shining a spotlight for the rest of the world to see,” Minns said.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to communicate the breadth and depth of the North Coast’s foods producers and excite global partners to collaborate with innovative businesses across NSW more broadly.”
Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Dr Skye Thomas-Hall said microalgae had significant long-term potential as a food source.
“Microalgae sit at the base of Earth’s life-support systems – the most scalable, nutrient-dense food source on the planet,” Dr Thomas-Hall said.
“They helped shape the conditions that made complex life and human intelligence possible. Today’s interest in them is a kind of nutritional homecoming.”
Northern Rivers-based Australian Bay Lobster Producers Limited (ABLP) is also participating in the trade mission. The company produces seafood and aquaculture products for food and aquarium markets and is developing a soft-shell bay lobster product.
Managing Director Michael Dalton said the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the company’s capabilities to international representatives.
“The North Coast Trade Mission provides a strategic platform for us to showcase our capabilities, innovation and export readiness to trade representatives,” Dalton said.
“By opening our operations, we can demonstrate how integrated aquaculture, proprietary technology and sustainable practices can deliver scalable, high-value products for global markets.”
Dalton said the mission could help create new commercial opportunities.
“The visit supports ABLP’s next phase of growth by enabling new partnerships, investment opportunities and market access, while reinforcing the North Coast region’s reputation as a hub for advanced aquaculture, food production and agri-tech innovation.”
At Tumbulgum, Husk Distillers is using the mission to highlight its farm-to-bottle rum production model and expand its international reach.
Chief Executive Officer Quentin Brival said the company had already established export markets and was looking to build on that success.
“We have already established an early export footprint in markets including France, Thailand and Malaysia, and the North Coast Trade Mission provides an opportunity to expand that presence,” Brival said.
“It allows us to demonstrate how a regional beverage manufacturer can successfully bridge the gap between sustainable agriculture and premium product development, offering a highly distinct Australian story to the global market.”
Brival said developing export channels remained a priority.
“As we continue to scale, our priority is building robust, long-term export channels. This mission enables direct engagement with trade officials and potential partners, with a focus on identifying importers, securing distribution agreements and accelerating entry into priority markets.”
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.