North Coast in the global spotlight during Trade Mission

Through the Trade Mission, the NSW Government is putting the region at the forefront of opportunity for collaboration, further investment and trade.

The North Coast’s growing population and strong transport connections to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne create and drive opportunities for investment, innovation and export growth across key priority industries.

A thriving tourism industry continues to draw millions of visitors each year to the region’s celebrated national parks and iconic coastal destinations.

Acting Executive Director of the Regional Economic Development Network, Craig Jenkins said the 13 delegates, from China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore and Switzerland, have been meeting with owner-operators and toured their facilities, opening up potential for future partnerships.

“Our delegation is focused on building meaningful connections with global partners and opening new pathways for trade, and this initiative highlights our commitment to supporting local industries, attracting investment, and positioning the regional NSW as a destination of choice for business,” Mr Jenkins said.

As well as visiting the iconic Akubra workshop in Kempsey and the LED manufacturer Planet Lighting in Bellingen, the mission is also travelling to Corindi, Woodburn,  Chinderah and Tumbulgum.

In Corindi, the Costa Group has a Berry farm of approximately 300 planted hectares, including 182 hectares of blueberries, 105 hectares of raspberries and 12 hectares of blackberries. Their blueberries are sold in the domestic market and exported throughout Asia, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia. 

“We are pleased to welcome delegates from this Trade Mission to showcase our premium berries and our innovative growing practices,” General Manager of Costa Berry Category Rob King said.

“Costa’s export capability is supported by premium quality produce, strong logistics and cold-chain management, and deep market knowledge.  We look forward to exploring new markets and opportunities.”

This is the eighth Trade Mission hosted in regional NSW as part of the NSW Government’s work to promote trade, investment and export opportunities, and to drive growth and create jobs in regional communities.

Business Profiles:

Costa Group

As well as its Berry farm, Corindi is also the home of BluGenix - a globally recognised blueberry variety development program.  For more than four decades, the breeding program has developed proprietary blueberry varieties which are licensed around the world.

Costa also has avocado farming operations on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, with 78 hectares currently under production. Costa grown avocados are sold under the Lovacado and Vitor brands.

The Costa Group has three international berry operations in China, Morocco and Laos.

SeaO₂Nutrition

SeaO₂Nutrition is a biotechnology company based in Woodburn, which produces nutrient rich Nannochloropsis microalgae - a tiny type of algae - using land-based cultivation and advanced processing techniques to support sustainable food and nutrition applications.

From a single microscopic organism, the company produces nutrient-dense products that claim to support gut health, cellular repair, healthy ageing and cognitive wellbeing. SeaO₂Nutrition Co-Founder Gian Minns said:

"SeaO₂Nutrition utilises advanced technology to produce an ancient, natural, plant-based and minimally processed supplement that supports cellular repair and growth. Its benefits start at the gut, flow through the cardiovascular system, extending to skin & hair, and eyes, all the way to the brain – benefiting both cognition and mood. 

“We're incredibly excited to bring this to market. Bringing global trade representatives to see, first-hand, the innovation, quality, and capacity of NSW's leading foods businesses is like shining a spotlight for the rest of the world to see. 

“This is an exceptional opportunity to communicate the breadth and depth of the North Coast's foods producers and excite global partners to collaborate with innovative businesses across NSW more broadly.”

SeaO₂Nutrition Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder Dr Skye Thomas-Hall said:

“Microalgae sit at the base of Earth’s life-support systems - the most scalable, nutrient-dense food source on the planet. They helped shape the conditions that made complex life and human intelligence possible. Today’s interest in them is a kind of nutritional homecoming.”  

Australian Bay Lobster Producers Limited

Australian Bay Lobster Producers Limited (ABLP) is an integrated aquaculture and seafood company committed to producing sustainable seafood and aquaculture products for both food and aquarium markets. 

Based in the Northern Rivers region, and with more than 35 years of research and development, ABLP has established itself as a pioneer in the commercial production of Bay Lobster (slipper lobster), while also expanding into the sustainable culture of marine ornamental species for the global aquarium trade.

ABLP Managing Director Michael Dalton said:

“We are currently developing a world-first production of soft-shell Bay Lobster which is a globally unique, premium product that can be consumed whole, delivering a 100 per cent recovery rate similar to soft-shell crab. We also work closely with trusted fishers to source a specialised range of premium wild-caught seafood for high-end restaurants and distributors.

“Our growing portfolio of supplying sustainably bred marine ornamental fish to the global aquarium market provides an alternative to wild-caught ornamental species, reducing pressure on national fish stocks while opening new export and industry development opportunities.

“The North Coast Trade Mission provides a strategic platform for us to showcase our capabilities, innovation and export readiness to trade representatives. By opening our operations, we can demonstrate how integrated aquaculture, proprietary technology and sustainable practices can deliver scalable, high-value products for global markets.

“The visit supports ABLP’s next phase of growth by enabling new partnerships, investment opportunities and market access, while reinforcing the North Coast region’s reputation as a hub for advanced aquaculture, food production and agri-tech innovation.”

Husk Distillers

Based in Tumbulgum, Husk Distillers is a beverage manufacturer with a portfolio anchored in premium innovation and regional provenance. The success of its iconic Ink Gin is evidence of its capabilities to market an innovative product and establish the distillery as one of Australia’s leading ultra-premium gin producers.

Alongside this commercial success, a core long-term focus is the development of an authentic, provenance-led Husk Rum portfolio. 

Husk Distillers CEO Quentin Brival said:

“This rum is built on a unique farm-to-bottle production model, allowing us to control the entire lifecycle from sugarcane cultivation and crushing through to fermentation, distillation, ageing and bottling.

“We have already established an early export footprint in markets including France, Thailand and Malaysia, and the North Coast Trade Mission provides an opportunity to expand that presence. It allows us to demonstrate how a regional beverage manufacturer can successfully bridge the gap between sustainable agriculture and premium product development, offering a highly distinct Australian story to the global market.

“As we continue to scale, our priority is building robust, long-term export channels. This mission enables direct engagement with trade officials and potential partners, with a focus on identifying importers, securing distribution agreements and accelerating entry into priority markets.