NSW Export Awards 2025 Winners Roundtable
Wednesday’s NSW Export Awards 2025 Winners Roundtable – hosted by the NSW Minister for Industry and Trade (The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP) and Investment NSW – brought together some of the State’s experienced exporters. The Export Council of Australia had the privilege of facilitating the discussion, and the insights were outstanding.
A few things came through strongly.
🔹 Exporters are doubling down on diversification, in both products and countries. Korea, Japan, the Middle East and Southeast Asia are front of mind. Canada may provide to be an unexpected opportunity as US products disappear from shelves there.
🔹 The US remains a mixed picture. While still a major market in some sectors, it is increasingly difficult and costly in others. Premium products can succeed, but only with serious consumer education.
🔹 We also heard strong messages on competitiveness. Electricity and labour costs, regulatory friction, and the pull of other Australian States are all shaping investment decisions. Workforce shortages, especially in regional NSW, continue to constrain growth.
🔹 Exporters called for better coordination across government agencies in Australia, particularly on certification and standards. There was also support for continued close cooperation between the NSW and Federal governments.
🔹 While there was recognition of potential volatility in global currency exchange, there was almost no reference to how associated risks might be managed. Further consideration may also be needed in utlising trade agreements for strategic partnerships and alternative pathways into new markets.
We appreciated the candour and practicality of the discussion. Exporters weren’t just reflecting on challenges, they were also offering grounded, actionable solutions.
Investment NSW’s flexibility and willingness to adjust its work program was acknowledged, as was the value of Minister‑led trade missions, which help open doors internationally.
A big thank you to the NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, Investment NSW, Austrade and all the award‑winning exporters who joined us. Your insights will directly shape the next phase of work.
Arnold Jorge, Dianne Tipping, Jodie Evins, Cass Spies, Anthony McFarlane, Belinda Tumbers, Barbara Stephen, Joshua Ross, Paul Barrett, David Aldridge, William Zondag, Lloyd Prescott, David Lloyd, Leon Skaliotis, Mac Powolny, Fiona Hall, Dee-Ann Prather Seccombe, James F., Hung Nguyen, Louie Coorey, Edan Corkill, Tania Panagoda, Katie Heathcote, Jay Meek