The Australian food industry is a complex network. It includes the organisation and planning of production, processes, storage and marketing of food products. The diversity of the environment and geographical location of Australia provides many advantages for the food industry. Australia can produce a wide variety of raw materials resulting in a range of readily available food. Living in the
Southern Hemisphere allows for food to be produced at different seasons. As a result, food can be exported to other countries out of their season. Australia has developed new technologies and machinery to improve breeding programs, genetics, farm management, innovative packaging, effective transportation system, new storage and efficient processing networks. This also assists in Australia’s long term competitiveness in the food industry.
The agri-food chain produces and distributes food for individual and consumer use. The chain consists of four main sectors:
· Agriculture and fisheries
· Food processing and manufacturing
· Food service and catering
· Food retail
Throughout the food industry, many employment opportunities arise. The Australia food industry is a major employer with 1.68 million employees in 2010 - 2011. This is 15% of Australia’s total employment. The food industry also contributes heavily to Australia’s overall gross domestic product (GDP).
The food retail sector of the argi-food chain provides places where consumers can purchase processed food items. Food retailers vary in dominance and size such as Woolworths, Aldi and Coles and smaller stores such as corner shops, butchers and bakeries. National stores offer a diverse range of food items and small retail outlets provide a limited collection. The food and liquor retailing produced $130.4 billion worth of turnover in 2010 – 2011. Supermarkets and grocery stores accounted for the bulk of the sector at 62%. The retail sector is the second major employer within the Australian food industry with 400 000 employees in 2010 – 2011.
One well-known organisation which is part of the retail sector is Woolworths Limited which was established on the 22nd of September 1924. Woolworths’ retail margins have escalated between 2004 and 2011. Retail margins are the food and liquor earnings before income tax as a proportion of total food and liquor sales. Woolworths’ retail margins were at 7.5% in 2010 – 2011, which is 4% more than Coles’ margins at 3.5% during the same period. The Woolworth group consist of a range of supermarkets, liquor stores and petrol stations through Woolworths – Caltex petrol alliance.
Southern Hemisphere allows for food to be produced at different seasons. As a result, food can be exported to other countries out of their season. Australia has developed new technologies and machinery to improve breeding programs, genetics, farm management, innovative packaging, effective transportation system, new storage and efficient processing networks. This also assists in Australia’s long term competitiveness in the food industry.
The agri-food chain produces and distributes food for individual and consumer use. The chain consists of four main sectors:
· Agriculture and fisheries
· Food processing and manufacturing
· Food service and catering
· Food retail
Throughout the food industry, many employment opportunities arise. The Australia food industry is a major employer with 1.68 million employees in 2010 - 2011. This is 15% of Australia’s total employment. The food industry also contributes heavily to Australia’s overall gross domestic product (GDP).
The food retail sector of the argi-food chain provides places where consumers can purchase processed food items. Food retailers vary in dominance and size such as Woolworths, Aldi and Coles and smaller stores such as corner shops, butchers and bakeries. National stores offer a diverse range of food items and small retail outlets provide a limited collection. The food and liquor retailing produced $130.4 billion worth of turnover in 2010 – 2011. Supermarkets and grocery stores accounted for the bulk of the sector at 62%. The retail sector is the second major employer within the Australian food industry with 400 000 employees in 2010 – 2011.
One well-known organisation which is part of the retail sector is Woolworths Limited which was established on the 22nd of September 1924. Woolworths’ retail margins have escalated between 2004 and 2011. Retail margins are the food and liquor earnings before income tax as a proportion of total food and liquor sales. Woolworths’ retail margins were at 7.5% in 2010 – 2011, which is 4% more than Coles’ margins at 3.5% during the same period. The Woolworth group consist of a range of supermarkets, liquor stores and petrol stations through Woolworths – Caltex petrol alliance.