Wednesday, 22 February 2023

 Nina TAYLOR (Albert Park) (10:07): Global demand for Victorian beverages is exploding, with local distilleries and drinks producers taking advantage of new trade opportunities with support from the Andrews Labor government. I had the great pleasure of accompanying the Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas to a wonderful local distillery, Starward Distillery, in Fishermans Bend, where the company’s expert distillers produce an award-winning range of whiskeys enjoyed around the world. On the one hand it is great to have a wonderful product, but how do you get it out to the world? The good news is that Global Victoria is helping exporters reach new markets through a packed schedule of trade missions, and we can see that Victoria is reaping the benefits of this incredible work. For instance, in 2021–22 the value of Victorian beverage exports grew by 36 per cent to $137 million, with spirits a key to this growth. The value of spirits exports leapt by more than 60 per cent to $34 million last financial year and has doubled in five years. Top markets are New Zealand, the US and Singapore.

Coming back to Starward Distillery, Starward now exports to 19 countries. This includes the company’s key market, the United States, where products are available in 37 states and feature on the drinks list in four of out five Michelin-starred restaurants. Is that not brilliant? A great local company.