2012/757 Market development funding options for the Australian oyster industry

By Ewan Colquhoun and Rachel King

Funding for industry development, operations, promotion and other industry services is increasingly important in every modern food production sector. This project sought to confirm an agreed national funding mechanism for joint R&D, marketing and promotion and administrative support for Oysters Australia (OA).

This project revealed the challenges and options that the Australian Oyster Industry faces. Oysters are losing market share even as the demands of domestic seafood consumers rise, global risks (biosecurity, genetic improvement, market competitiveness) are threatening local enterprise sustainability and viability, and growers struggle to communicate and find common approaches that invest in real responses.

The report has detailed existing funding mechanisms, related state cost impacts, and leverage options. Presentations at regional and state meetings in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania have opened the debate and highlighted Oysters Australia’s need to change its communication techniques so that growers are aware of its aims and achievements.