China deal to export milk and honey

The land rich in milk and honey is set to spread its wealth, after a WA advocacy group formed a partnership with China to export the State's top commodities.

Announced at the Heart of WA dinner in Perth, the partnership is between WAFarmers and Chinese company Lifeland.

The deal will see milk and honey products exported to China under the WAFarmers brand, with the potential for more goods to follow.

Presenting at the dinner and supplying lamb for main course, AgConnect president and Katanning farmer Kallum Blake said it was not just about trying to sell a commodity to China, it was about selling a premium product to the upper markets.

"Everyone will benefit, if the dairy guys make more money, then they will pay more for top quality feed grain, then the grain growers will profit and it flows through, bringing income back into the State," he said.

"Having these two products, they are a test to see how they will go, but it will help set up supply chains, and it's all about building on them."

WAFarmers president Dale Park said WA would have to take significant measures to maintain its clean, green image.

"That is all up to us, as long as we keep our side of the bargain, and part of that is providing clean, high quality food," he said.

"It has taken a long time to get to where we are, and it takes a long time to gain trust and that is what a lot of these agreements are about."

Lifeland chief executive Sha Yai said some of the highest quality food in the world was grown WA.

He said the State's proximity to China made it the ideal choice.

It takes a long time to gain trust and that is what a lot of these agreements are about. Dale Park