Gunnedah recently played host to a Chinese delegation who toured the region’s agricultural areas and built business links with local primary producers.
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The visit from the delegation is the result of representation made during Gunnedah Shire Council’s delegation trip to China in March.
Visiting Adelaide, Sydney, Kempsey and Gunnedah the delegation has expressed interest in trade and investment opportunities in the Gunnedah Shire.
Representatives from six agricultural-based companies from across eastern China toured farms in the Shire before attending a seminar at Gunnedah Shire Council with primary producers from the region.
The forum was addressed by Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and council’s director of planning and environmental services Andrew Johns.
“The delegation was in awe of the quality of the soil and the scale of our farms,” Mr Johns said.
Mr Johns also said each visiting company was provided the opportunity to address the group outlining its interests in Australian agricultural produce.
“Many of the companies were looking to secure vegetable crops and expressed a desire to trial some crops in the Gunnedah Shire on different soil types.
“These plots would only consume small amounts of land and the primary producers at the seminar all expressed interest in becoming involved in the trials.
Mr Johns also said it wasn’t just future crops that the delegates are interested in.
“The delegation was also interested in existing commodities that our region is famous for such as beef, lamb, cotton seed, barley, wheat, faba beans, sorghum, and hay to name a few.
“Their keen interest in our commodities has the potential to boost our economy and support our local producers.
“A number of representatives have expressed interest in visiting Gunnedah again in the near future to discuss further opportunities.”