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Bamboo Shoot Exports

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About this Item
Subjects -  Trade; Japan; Trees and Plants; Small Business
Speakers - Campbell Mr David; Stoner Mr Andrew; Speaker
Business - Ministerial Statement


    BAMBOO SHOOT EXPORTS
Page: 7014


    Ministerial Statement

    Mr DAVID CAMPBELL (Keira—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Illawarra, and Minister for Small Business) [2.16 p.m.]: New South Wales is sending bamboo shoots to Japan. Sydney company Bamboo Plantations of Australia, which has plantations on the North Coast, is enjoying increasing demand from Japan for its product. Bamboo shoots are prominent in many Asian dishes, and this company is making the most of Japan's insatiable appetite for the fresh product by exporting during that country's off-season. The Japanese consume 80,000 tonnes of fresh bamboo shoots each year. At full production, Bamboo Plantations of Australia expects to produce 5,000 tonnes annually.

    This successful small business, which was founded in 1999, is one of nine from New South Wales to join a State Government organised trade mission in Tokyo this week. It is showing its products at Foodex, the leading industry showcase of food and beverages in the Asia Pacific, and the third largest in the world. Last year's event attracted nearly 99,000 food industry professionals from across the region. It was at last year's Foodex that Bamboo Plantations launched its Koala Princess bamboo shoots—and they have been a huge hit. Japan is demanding more and more of our quality food and beverages. In 2001-02 New South Wales exported $645 million worth of food and beverages to Japan, a rise of 3.2 per cent over the previous year.

    Mr ANDREW STONER (Oxley—Leader of The Nationals) [2.18 p.m.]: The Opposition welcomes the impending trade mission to Japan and notes that New South Wales farmers and producers are among the world's best, if not the best in the world, and there is no reason that we cannot grow the best bamboo in the world. So the Coalition wholeheartedly supports Bamboo Plantations and the trade mission to Tokyo. At the same time I note the fine work done by trade Minister Mark Vaile in accessing some of the world's markets. Mark and his team have delivered a sensational result for our exporters through free trade agreements with the United States of America, Singapore and Thailand.

    [Interruption]

    I am sure the honourable member for Murray-Darling would welcome the opportunities that have been opened up to producers right around this State—opportunities that will earn export income for New South Wales.

    Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Murray-Darling to order.


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