Lobster fishers cooperative secures Australian government grant to increase export sales

A $1,926,000 Australian Government grant to Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative (GFC) will diversify the product range to expand into new international markets for Australian lobster exports.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the funding would expand export market opportunities in Asia, Europe and the Americas supporting the many family-owned fishing businesses that make up the GFC and the lobster industry.

“Producers now have access to Mexico for frozen Eastern Rock, Western Rock, Tropical Rock, Southern Rock and Slipper lobsters, which provides our industry with further diversification opportunities,” Minister Littleproud said.

GFC estimates that the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant will increase their customer base by around 20 per cent over 18 months from completion of the project, with high quality lobster exports expected to make their way to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai, France, Spain, Italy the USA and the new markets of South Korea and Mexico.

“The enhancement and modernisation of rock lobster processing facilities will increase domestic processing capacity and lead to a surge of value-added exports to high value markets,” added Minister Littleproud.

Minister for Science and Technology and Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said this grant further supports an important Midwest industry.

“The local industry has taken a whack from events like supply chain restrictions and the impact of COVID‑19 in the past two years,” Minister Price said.

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said the grant will provide more opportunities for the Australian rock lobster industry.

“Not only does this grant provide diversification for GFC, but it also helps protect its partner co‑operatives in South Australia and Tasmania from future market shocks,” said Assistant Minister Duniam.

CEO of GFC Matt Rutter said the grant means that lobster products can be more tailored to meet specific market specifications and consumer demand.

“The grant will see us producing a more diversified range of products for an increasingly dynamic global market,” Mr Rutter said.