Joint media release

• Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment
• The Hon Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia

06 May 2020

Over 30 tonnes of fresh South Australian produce, seafood and meat is now on its way to Asia under a new agreement with Singapore Airlines that will see local businesses once again have a direct freight route into key export markets.

Through the Morrison Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism, today’s Singapore Airlines flight is packed with a mix of South Australian products including chilled seafood, tuna, lamb, chicken meat and eggs. It’s expected that once in Singapore products will be then be distributed across Asia to markets including Hong Kong, Thailand and China.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the agreement with Singapore Airlines would re-establish a direct freight route for South Australian exporters who have been doing it tough during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We’re backing South Australia’s farmers and fishers through this agreement that will restore this critical freight route and give exporters a direct line back into key export markets across Asia,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Our exporters fight so hard to win contracts in export markets and we want to make sure they can continue to get their products to their customers on time.

“The more South Australian produce, meat and seafood we can onto these flights and headed overseas, the more local jobs we can secure and the more export dollars we can bring back into South Australia.”

Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall said this is a great step in the right direction and will provide a significant boost for local exporters and jobs.

“Today marks a real turning point for South Australia’s exporters who have been struggling with the impacts of coronavirus.

“It’s fantastic that our local producers now have a clear pathway to supply their fresh premium produce to markets around the world.

“This is a great result for local jobs, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Morrison Government and Singapore Airlines for supporting South Australian businesses,” said Mr Marshall.

The International Freight Assistance Mechanism is part of the Morrison Government’s $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities and industry sectors that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Access the the joint media release here.

For more information, please go to https://www.austrade.gov.au/News/News/international-freight-assistance-mechanism.

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