Malaysian Firms Generate US$17.61 Million Sales At Fine Food Australia

By Neville D'Cruz MELBOURNE (Australia), Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The 20 Malaysian companies that took part in the recently concluded Fine Food Australia here have chalked up sales totalling US$17.61 million (RM56.8 million). Among the companies that received the most sales were Hernan Corporation for its durian products, SHRF Food Industries for ready-to-cook pastes and Sydney Cake House for its frozen curry puff. Regarded by many people in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits",the durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. Tycoplas, which promoted its plastic catering products, also received many inquiries at the food fair held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Building. The companies, that included those from non-food sectors, were housed in the Malaysian pavilion and supervised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade, the national trade promotion agency. Also taking part this year were the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and the Malaysian Pepper Board, which promoted products from companies under its small entrepreneurs development programmes. Malaysia's Trade Commissioner here Noor Hayati Abu Noh said she was delighted by the professionalism of the Malaysian companies in presenting and promoting their products at the four-day event, which attracted more than 1,000 participants from 41 countries. "The high traffic of visitors to the Malaysia pavilion and the encouraging sales recorded by all companies proved that Malaysian food products are well accepted in the Australian market," she told Bernama. "It is hoped that the Malaysian companies, particularly those new to the Australian market, had gained valuable experience from their participation, on consumer preference as well as on requirements for food products to be exported here," she said. Matrade is looking forward to next year's Fine Food Australia expo to be held in Sydney. Noor Hayati said taking part in Fine Food Australia, the country's largest international event for quality food, complements Matrade's Malaysia Kitchen programme in Australia. --BERNAMA