Australian Tropical
Foods is an economic cluster group of members from the food industry
in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. The cluster is an initiative
of Cairns Region Economic Development Corporation, funded by the Australian
Federal Government through the Regional Solutions Program.
The
industry represents a diverse range of exciting and unique products
on a small to medium business level. Australian Tropical Foods cluster
provides the necessary collective assistance and collaborative marketing
for this emerging industry.
What
is Cluster Collaboration?
Industry clustering is the collaborative effort of groups of communities
and industries pooling their knowledge, expertise and motivation
to increase their competitive advantage. Because the majority of
small to medium-sized firms often lack critical mass and cannot
leverage the financial and marketing expertise required to compete
in today's global economy. Communities and businesses should examine
the idea of organizing themselves into larger networks. Without
the capacity to do this, businesses find it harder to compete on
an international stage and the ultimate price will be paid at the
local level, where jobs growth will slow and communities will find
it harder to expand their economies.
The
ability to pull resources together quickly makes all the difference
today. Companies operating within a cluster are able to access specialised
resources (including human, other businesses, capital, information
and intelligence) on a quick turnaround basis. Thus they can exploit
their own competencies and gain performance advantages by operating
within a cluster.
By
becoming a partner in economic development, participants can be
actively involved in the future directions of their industry, learn
how to become more competitive, and be better able to influence
government decision making process.
Collective/Joint
Marketing provides an opportunity to reach markets, which were once
considered unattainable. By pooling resources, marketing campaigns
and trade missions are viable options in promoting their businesses
on a global market and within the domestic market.
Some
of the benefits of Clustering:
¢
Greater economics of scale
¢ Enhanced productivity
¢ Creates a large diverse pool of skilled workers
¢ Creating a fertile area for growth and therefore better quality
jobs
¢ Creating a breeding ground for new companies
¢ Information sharing
¢ Training opportunities
¢ Specialised buyer-supplier relations
¢ Increased value adding
¢ International strategic alliances
¢ International recognition
¢ Joint marketing
Tropical
North Queensland
Within
two World Heritage natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef and
the Daintree Rainforest, Tropical North Queensland is a wonderful
and dynamic location to live or visit.
As
one of the very few first-world countries located in the tropics,
Australia's has the technology, strong food safety regulations,
and research and development infrastructure to become a leader in
the tropical foods industry. Tropical North Queensland is the centre
for Tropical Seafood and Aquaculture, Exotic Tropical Fruits, Nuts,
Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Asia style vegetables, herbs and spices as well
as their value-added products.
The
uniqueness of this area is the astounding Diversity of food products.
Many different micro-climatic and soil conditions; from the lush
coastal wet tropics, the cooler high mountain with high rainfall
and pre-historic volcanic activities, to the drier inland savannah
plains promote the growth of many different crops.
We
would like to thank the following companies for there contribution
to this website:
Special Thanks to the Cape Tribulation Exotic Fruit Farm, and J.Darley
the author of "Know and Enjoy Tropical Fruits" for their
wonderful contributions to our site.
Justpurple
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