Queensland is renowned as a location of choice for companies in the food industry.

The State boasts a large and diverse food and agribusiness sector with a reputation for producing high-quality, safe, 'clean and green' food at competitive prices. This reputation extends beyond the domestic market to support a growing export base.

Queensland's vibrant food industry is characterised by two broad, distinct categories:

• food processing and manufacturing
• includes fruit and vegetables, value-added products such as dairy foods, ingredients, desserts and confectionaries and ready-to-eat meals
• meat and meat product manufacturing
• includes fresh seafood as well as other meats.

These categories offer a diverse range of production capabilities.

A number of Queensland's regions are focused on the food manufacturing sector, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Darling Downs, the Wide Bay-Burnett region and South West Queensland.

Functional foods

Functional foods are similar to conventional foods, but provide a demonstrated physiological benefit or reduction in the risk of chronic disease, above and beyond the traditional function. Consumer interest in the relationship between diet and health has increased the demand for functional foods and foods that promote well-being.

Queensland's biodiversity and wide range of horticulture supports the development of alternative foods (such as rainforest and bush foods) through the varied climatic conditions available. The State has a reputation for delivering clean, safe and high-quality food products.

Fast facts

Queensland's food industry:

• employs more than 43,000 people in the processed foods sector
• contributes more than A$15 billion annually to the Queensland economy (both domestic and international sales)
• includes more than 1,400 processing companies
• processed foods is the largest manufacturing sector in Queensland, and the largest exporter of Queensland manufactured goods.

Queensland's food industry advantages:

• materials and services
• Queensland's diverse climate and production regions can produce an unequalled range of food products, counter-seasonal to the northern hemisphere
• Australia's stringent quarantine policies and good management practices allow Queensland to be free from many of the serious animal and plant pests that afflict other parts of the world.
• location
• competitively priced sites, strategically located close to producers of raw materials and excellent transport infrastructure
• close physical proximity to the high-growth Asia Pacific markets
• four international airports allow products to get to market faster.
• education and training
• Queensland's leading universities offer degree and masters programs for people entering the food processing industry. The universities include:
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• Griffith University.

The State is also home to a number of specialist process improvement facilities that focus on product research and development for food-related industries, such as:

• Food Spectrum Pty Ltd
• NutraDry
• Total Foodtech Marketing
• ProBiotec
• Sanitarium Ltd
• Horizon Science.

In addition, the Queensland Government has committed $290 million to developing a Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains and an Eco-sciences Precinct at Dutton Park, with functional foods identified as a key area for research. Both the Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO are collaborating in these projects.

Who else is here?

Queensland has proven to be a highly sought-after location for processed food organisations. Some companies that have chosen Queensland include:

• Australian Meat Holdings (subsidiary of JBS Friboi) - headquarters of Australia's largest meat processor
• Bundaberg Brewed Drinks - soft drink manufacturer specialising in ginger beer and ale
• Bundaberg Rum - iconic dark rum producer
• Cadbury-Schweppes - two main factories in South East Queensland
• Carlton United Breweries (subsidiary of the Foster's Group) - a premium global multi-beverage company
• Castlemaine Perkins Brewery ' iconic local 'Fourex' brewery with large production facility
• Coca-Cola Amatil - Australia's most modern production facility at Richlands
• Dairy Farmers - major milk producer and processor
• Food Spectrum - world leader in functional food ingredients
• GC Hahn & Co - national headquarters and manufacturing in Queensland
• Golden Circle - headquarters and processing plant of one of Australia's largest fruit and vegetable processors
• Goodman Fielder - a leading global food company with manufacturing facilities
• Gourmet Garden - one of Australia's largest exporters of value-added foods
• Kerry Ingredients - one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced manufacturers of specialty ingredients
• National Foods - Berri Juice packaging facility (owned by Kirin Brewery)
• Nestle Australia - one of the world's largest food and beverage companies
• Nippon Meat Packers - one of Japan's leading meat companies
• OSI International Foods - national headquarters of one of the world's leading provider of quality products and custom solutions for the food industry
• Parmalat (formerly Pauls) - major manufacturer of dairy products within Australia
• Primo Quality Meats - the meat division of Primo Smallgoods, the largest producer of ham, bacon and smallgoods in Australia
• Sanitarium Foods - manufacturers of quality health and vegetarian food products
• Smith's Snackfood Company - global snack foods company with world-first production technology
• Snap Fresh - national headquarters of a leading manufacturer of frozen meals for the airline, healthcare and hospitality industries.

More information

For more information on Queensland's food and agribusiness industry, visit the Queensland Government's processed food industry development website

For more information on investment opportunities in Queensland, contact us