Functional and Luxury Foods Research Project

This research project provided a roadmap of where food and beverage value chains can be switched to higher value products and services.

The information improves food products and services that are sought after by:

  • key Asian export markets
  • the Australian domestic market.

The project findings benefit South Australia's government and food industry.

Background

In February 2015, PIRSA commissioned global research firm VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) to study the market opportunities for functional and luxury foods in Asia and Australia.

This included an implementation plan of short, medium and long-term options for the South Australian food industry.

VTT engaged South Australian organisations with functional and luxury food potential by holding interviews, workshops and information sessions. This research captured the views of:

  • food manufacturers
  • the packaging industry
  • research institutes
  • food associations.

This stage of work involved collaboration with:

  • ESSEC Business School – Paris and Singapore
  • Frost and Sullivan – Australia
  • the Monash Food Innovation Centre.

VTT completed the research phase of the project in December 2015.

Outcomes

The research suggested there are options for growth of South Australia’s food and beverage industry. These relate to:

  • functional foods
  • luxury food
  • wine
  • culinary tourism
  • packaging development.

Recommended pathways

To support the findings, 6 pathways were presented:

  1. Upgrading food processing technology.
  2. Functional food products.
  3. Ingredients for functional foods.
  4. Active, intelligent and polysensual packaging solutions for functional and luxury foods.
  5. Luxury food business strategy uptake and export promotion.
  6. Luxury wine-driven culinary tourism.

Each pathway harnesses business opportunities for SA, including policy recommendations and practical steps for industry and government.

Local capacity development was identified to address knowledge gaps. These include:

  • building business networks
  • driving innovation
  • using technologies
  • accessing research and development
  • improving communications and engagement.

Research publications

Reports

Project summaries

Market analysis

Industry guidance materials

This series of industry guidance materials help businesses navigate the functional and luxury food markets.

Partnerships

The research phase of the project generated a significant amount of data, including detailed market intelligence and case studies.

PIRSA has been working to consolidate the high volume of material into user-friendly formats. This work has involved:

  • Food South Australia
  • the Australian Wine Research Institute
  • the South Australian Research and Development Institute.

Contact

Sarah Ewers – Food innovation programs
Phone: (08) 8429 2908
Email: sardifoodinnovations@sa.gov.au

Page last reviewed: 23 Jan 2023

 


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