Looking ahead to 2035, India presents a promising avenue for fostering growth within Australia’s agribusiness sector, particularly in food and beverage. Despite India’s emphasis on bolstering domestic production, the disparity between demand and supply is anticipated to widen in the coming years. This disparity, coupled with India’s shortfall in the production of essential commodities such as pulses, grains, horticulture, and oilseeds, signifies a growth potential for Australian exports.
The opportunities extend beyond basic commodities, encompassing value-added products desired by the burgeoning middle class, such as wine and processed food. Additionally, there is a prospective market for specialised services catered to Indian governments, institutions, and farmers. However, navigating India’s agriculture sector demands an understanding of its political sensitivity, characterised by a lingering protectionist sentiment.
The Indian government is tasked with balancing the needs of consumers while ensuring food security, achieving food self-sufficiency, and providing income support for farmers. Acknowledging the inherent challenges, Australia must approach the Indian market with strategic resilience, considering the potential for fluctuating import demands and abrupt policy changes.
To enhance predictability and mitigate risks, a proactive approach involves the Australian government collaborating closely with India. This entails reducing market distortions, developing import pathways, and aligning with Indian priorities. As 2035 approaches, a strategic focus on pairing raw commodity exports with value-added products, integrating into value chains, and exporting services can yield mutual benefits and enhance commercial engagement.
Agribusiness (Food & Beverage) National Industry Group Conveners
Simon is a partner in Piper Alderman’s Corporate Division and head of the firm’s Agribusiness Group. He has extensive experience acting on corporate transactions in the Australian agribusiness, food and beverage sectors. He advises on in-bound foreign direct investment, trade and cross-border investment and transaction execution.
Simon is an inaugural member of the Agribusiness Advisory Board at the University of Adelaide’s School of Business and holds other board and advisory council roles, as well as being a director of several Australian holding companies for private clients
He was a director of the peak industry body, Agribusiness Australia, and an inaugural member of the South Australian Agribusiness Council which focused on identifying emerging domestic and international economic development of the Agribusiness sector.
Yemee Fernandes has held senior commercial roles in a number of publicly listed companies such as Fairfax, Universal Music Australia and LexisNexis. Over 15 years Yemee has worked across maintaining and creating partnerships with a range of industries from FMCG through to digital innovation. Some of her clients in the past included American Express, Mcdonald’s, Unilever, Virgin Mobile and CocaCola.
Born In India, Yemee moved to Australia in 1998 and has detailed insight into the Indian business landscape. When travelling back to visit friends and family Yemee saw an opportunity to bring premium food and beverage products from Australia to India to meet that growing consumer demand.
She co-founded Four Pillars Trading Australia with a team both in Australia and Mumbai to support Australian businesses navigate through the complexities of the Indian market and deliver on ground operational support. Yemee continues to work with the likes of the Australian Macadamia Society in developing and executing their India market programme.
Yemee Fernandes