Following a competitive application process, 40 national bodies and associations have been selected to join the inaugural Trade Diversification Network, an initiative launched as part of the Albanese Government’s $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative.
This includes two drinks industry bodies: Australian Grape & Wine and the Australian Distillers Association.
Together, the Network’s 40 members will collaborate with each other and with Government to identify and develop tailored activities to facilitate growth and diversification in key markets globally.
This will include a particular focus on trading with “new and emerging partners across the globe in places like the Middle East and Southeast Asia,” explains Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell.
“The Trade Diversification Network is a great example of government and industry working together to achieve a common goal: seeing Australian businesses diversify, grow, and build resilience,” he later added.
What this means for Australian drinks:
The Network’s export initiatives will include activities such as trade missions, training and market showcases tailored both to industry and market.
This, according to Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive Lee McLean, presents opportunity for Australian wine exporters at a critical moment in time.
“Export diversification is essential to the long-term sustainability of Australia’s grape and wine sector, particularly as global consumption patterns shift and competition intensifies,” he said.
“Being part of the Trade Diversification Network will allow Australian Grape & Wine to work closely with Government to ensure export support is targeted, practical and aligned with real market opportunities for wine producers across Australia’s regions.”
He also believes the initiative will reinforce the importance of longstanding collaboration between the wine industry and federal government, building upon its strong track record of engaging in trade missions and market development activities. One recent example is Wine Australia’s campaign in Japan, conducted in April 2025 and pictured above as the headline image.
Lee McLean continues: “Wine supports thousands of regional jobs and communities, and access to new and emerging markets will be critical to rebuilding export value and resilience. We look forward to working with the Government and fellow peak bodies through the Network to help more wine businesses export to more markets.”
Who are the other members?
Out of the 40 members, 22 pertain to the Agrifood sector, with the rest spread across industries such as Consumer, Creative, Technology, Health, METS, Defence, and First Nations.
The full list of members can be viewed here.
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