Annual Report
2022-23
Purpose
AEGIC exists to increase value in the Australian grains industry
Vision
Australia’s leading organisation for market insight, innovation and applied solutions for the grains industry
Contents
Chair Report
Chair Report
2022-23 continued a three-year run of standout results for Australia’s grains industry.
Executive General Manager report
It was a big year for AEGIC, during which we celebrated our 10 year anniversary, and announced a significant alliance with Grains Australia.
Executive General Manager report
About Us
The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is an independent organisation that helps position Australian grain as the preferred choice in international markets. Our work helps the Australian grains industry breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer.
AEGIC’s primary beneficiaries are Australian grain growers, but the impact of AEGIC’s work spans the whole grains supply chain, from the grower in Australia, whose grain is valued internationally, to consumers across the world who enjoy excellent noodles, baked products and beer made from Australian grain.
Our value delivery model:
AEGIC snapshot
2022-23
10 years
of increasing value in the Australian grains industry
45 employees
in WA, NSW and Victoria
21 grain markets
serviced
1700 international customers reached
via webinars and workshops
65
Australian industry partners
23 current
Projects
$4.37m
value of AEGIC projects being delivered
$2.6m
in additional project funding over 20 grants.
$4
value returned to industry for every $1 invested in AEGIC.
$17.5m value
value returned to Australian grain industry.
Thoroughly appreciate the great work you and your team are doing to profile… Australian grain on a global platform… it ensures our market development and share.
Supporting the Australian grains industry
AEGIC builds strong relationships with industry stakeholders, who recognise the value we deliver, seek our expertise and invest in our projects. We collaborate with a range of industry partners to increase value across the Australian grains supply chain.
AEGIC builds strong relationships with industry stakeholders, who recognise the value we deliver, seek our expertise and invest in our projects. We collaborate with a range of industry partners to increase value across the Australian grains supply chain.
Alliance with Grains Australia
$2.6m investment from partners
Supporting stakeholders with expertise and insights
Alliance with Grains Australia
In April 2023, AEGIC and Grains Australia joined forces to build a more robust and united national grains alliance.
The strong support for the alliance across the industry further demonstrates the confidence the Australian industry has in AEGIC.
AEGIC is represented on three of the five Grains Australia Commodity Councils (wheat, barley, oats) — and is a strategic advisor to the Grains Market Access Council — helping guide strategic priorities for the industry. The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) remains a crucial stakeholder for AEGIC. Investment for AEGIC from GRDC now comes through Grains Australia.
$2.6m investment from partners
We secured about $2.6m worth of investment across a range of projects from partners including the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), GRDC, the Australian Government’s Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program the South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT), the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and the Global Innovation Linkages program.
This diversity of investment demonstrates the high level of confidence industry organisations have in AEGIC to deliver projects with real impact.
Supporting stakeholders with expertise and insights
We attended 17 industry conferences, field days and events, and presented our insights to industry via speaking engagements in person and online 41 times.
Our quarterly “Stakeholder update” keeps the industry informed about the progress and impact of AEGIC’s suite of projects.
AEGIC’s wheat quality and baking training courses helped the grain and allied industries of Australia understand the importance of wheat quality to help meet customer needs.
AEGIC’s Analytical Laboratories celebrated 70 years of accreditation through the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). Our grain and food quality analysis helps ensure Australian grain meets quality expectations of customers.
GRDC is very supportive of the work undertaken by AEGIC in market development and research efforts to build positive long-term industry outcomes and achievements.
Many thanks for sending (the Stakeholder update) through. Well-presented and full of great information.
Educating and supporting international customers
We deliver technical support and education to grain customers to demonstrate the quality and value of Australian grain and help them optimise its value. This makes it more likely they will purchase Australian grain.
We deliver technical support and education to grain customers to demonstrate the quality and value of Australian grain and help them optimise its value. This makes it more likely they will purchase Australian grain.
Face-to-face with customers
Virtual engagement across the world
Australia’s unique wheat relationship with Japan
Face-to-face with customers
In 2023, we expanded our in-person engagement with grain customers, visiting 39 organisations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and India, and hosting 18 delegations in Australia.
AGEIC’s workshops and wheat quality trials with flour millers allowed us to demonstrate the benefits and value of Australian grain for noodles and bread hands-on. See the following pages in this annual report for details.
Engaging with customers in-person helps maintain human connections between Australia and its markets.
Virtual engagement across the world
We delivered 31 webinars and workshops reaching more than 1700 grain customers across the world on topics including barley for malt and feed and Australian wheat for noodles and bread.
Through webinars and information packages, we helped flour millers calculate the true cost of Australian wheat. Choosing our wheat can often result in significant cost savings – even though it may sometimes be more expensive per tonne.
With investment through IA-CEPA, facilitated by Katalis and Grains Australia, we are developing an online eLearning training program for Indonesian flour millers, with video production by SBS.
In collaboration with the Australian industry, we released virtual crop inspection videos in multiple languages across 20 countries to help customers keep track of the Australian growing season.
Australia’s unique wheat relationship with Japan
On behalf of the Australian industry, AEGIC provides Japanese flour millers with regular seasonal and industry updates to help maintain this uniquely stable udon noodle wheat market. This regular update is reaching 643 customers in Japan including government representatives, industry associations, flour millers, noodle makers, trading houses, beer/shochu makers and feed mills.
In November 2022 and March 2023, we once again hosted a visiting Japanese noodle expert to conduct sensory evaluation of upcoming udon noodle lines.
In June 2023, we travelled with InterGrain to assess a new udon variety with Japanese millers with positive results. The variety, Firefly, was recently released.
In January 2023 and May 2023, in collaboration with the Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA),
and CBH Group, we hosted delegations from the Japanese Government and flour milling industry to discuss noodle wheat supply.
Great analysis by AEGIC. Every negotiator of Aussie wheat should have a table beside them to keep reminding buyers. Distributing and educating the actual millers as you are doing is also crucial.
Maintaining Australia’s noodle superiority
We work to understand customers’ noodle quality requirements to provide insights to Australia’s wheat breeders. We develop evidence that differentiates the performance of Australian wheat from competitor wheat, increasing its value. We help customers better understand the benefits and value of Australian wheat for noodle appearance and mouthfeel, making it more likely they will choose Australian wheat.
We work to understand customers’ noodle quality requirements to provide insights to Australia’s wheat breeders. We develop evidence that differentiates the performance of Australian wheat from competitor wheat, increasing its value. We help customers better understand the benefits and value of Australian wheat for noodle appearance and mouthfeel, making it more likely they will choose Australian wheat.
Potential new high-value hard wheat for noodles
Demonstrating the benefits of Australian wheat for noodles
WA noodle wheat on national Japanese TV
Potential new high-value hard wheat for noodles
AEGIC identified that certain Australian Hard (AH) wheat varieties have potential for premium noodles. Working with customers in Asian markets, we are investigating the potential of creating a new, potentially premium-paying market for hard wheat growers.
We hosted a Korean milling company to trial potential varieties in December 2022. In May 2023, we travelled to Japan to conduct noodle trials with major flour millers, with further trips to Korea and Taiwan planned. Results for the wheat varieties we trialled were very promising.
Co-investors: Grains and Research Development Corporation (GRDC) and the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT)
Demonstrating the benefits of Australian wheat for noodles
Our in-person workshops, webinars and virtual meetings in early 2023 in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Japan and Korea helped flour millers and food manufacturers understand the benefits of Australian wheat for noodles. Australian wheat has superior colour and texture for noodle types across Asia, including different types of yellow alkaline noodles and Japanese udon.
We also worked with flour millers to expand the understanding of Australian Noodle Wheat (ANW and APWN) for products other than udon (co-investor: InterGrain)
WA noodle wheat on national Japanese TV
In May 2023, the Japanese public broadcaster, NHK, featured AEGIC in a story on Australian udon noodle wheat.
This story was broadcast nationally and showcased the benefits of WA noodle wheat and how AEGIC’s sensory evaluation of udon helps Australian breeders meet Japanese wheat quality requirements.
It was easy to understand why Australian wheat is good. It seems that the number of fans of Australian wheat will increase!
Increasing the use of Australian wheat for Asian baking
Demonstrating the performance and value of Australian wheat for bread and cookies helps position Australia as a preferred supplier to Asian markets, creating value for growers.
Demonstrating the performance and value of Australian wheat for bread and cookies helps position Australia as a preferred supplier to Asian markets, creating value for growers.
Australian wheat for bread in South East Asia
A new Australian soft wheat industry
Australian wheat for bread in South East Asia
Asian bread companies are expected to continue to move towards “no-time dough” bread production, which favours Australian wheat.
To capitalise on this growing, premium market, AEGIC worked with major flour millers in Indonesia and the Philippines to run baking trials and demonstrate the benefits of Australian wheat.
A new Australian soft wheat industry
AEGIC continues to support a potential new Australian soft wheat industry, in collaboration with growers and breeding companies.
Working in Indonesia with major flour millers, we assessed soft wheat samples for product quality for cookies, with promising results.
Co-investor: WA Government through DPIRD
AEGIC (is) advancing the wheat flour industry and supporting consumers in Indonesia’s needs on baking through Australian wheat research & science.
The health and wellbeing story
Australian whole grains, oats and pulses are poised to become a top choice as customers become more interested in the considerable health benefits.
Demonstrating that Australian grains are superior for whole grain and pulse protein products creates new value for growers by positioning Australian grains as the most attractive choice.
Australian whole grains, oats and pulses are poised to become a top choice as customers become more interested in the considerable health benefits.
Demonstrating that Australian grains are superior for whole grain and pulse protein products creates new value for growers by positioning Australian grains as the most attractive choice.
Stimulating demand for healthy Australian whole grains in Asia
Strengthening the WA oats industry
Pulse protein food innovation
Stimulating demand for healthy Australian whole grains in Asia
Continuing our work to advance Australian wheat for whole grains, we produced and distributed technical information packs to customers outlining how to incorporate Australian whole grain flour into popular Asian products, including coconut/pandan waffles, chocolate oat cookies, youtiao (fried dough) and dried noodles.
We continue to communicate the benefits of Australian wheat for whole grains to customers through webinars and in-person meetings.
Co-investor: DPIRD
Strengthening the WA oats industry
With nearly $1m investment from the WA Government’s Processed Oats Partnership (POP), we are continuing to move Australian oats beyond breakfast through innovative new products, including oat “rice”, oat noodles and other concept foods.
We took part in the International Oat Conference in November 2022, and AEGIC’s oat “rice” was popular with attendees.
New POP projects being run by AEGIC will further strengthen the WA oat industry by helping improve the oat classification system and providing analysis of market opportunities.
Co-investor: DPIRD through POP
Photo (Evan Collis/GRDC)
Pulse protein food innovation
With a $567,000 investment from GRDC, we are establishing a new pulse processing plant to support AEGIC’s research into pulse protein concentrates.
With demand for plant-based protein increasing, this research will help create significant value-added opportunities for Australian pulses in protein applications.
AEGIC continues to work with the University of Sydney through the Global Innovation Linkages program to deliver pulse protein research.
Co-investors: GRDC, Global Innovation Linkages Program
Impressive work by the AEGIC team. Developing more (oat) market options for Aussie grain (is) critical for long term grower profitability.
Expanding markets for Australian malting barley
Diversifying markets for Australian malting barley helps reduce risk for growers by reducing the reliance on a single large market. Continued engagement with China helps maintain Australia’s most important barley market by ensuring brewers and maltsters are informed and equipped to use Australian barley when available.
Diversifying markets for Australian malting barley helps reduce risk for growers by reducing the reliance on a single large market. Continued engagement with China helps maintain Australia’s most important barley market by ensuring brewers and maltsters are informed and equipped to use Australian barley when available.
Diversifying markets for Australian malting barley
Innovative new malting technology
Diversifying markets for Australian malting barley
We continued to stimulate demand and find new market options for malting barley growers by providing practical information to customers in India, South East Asia, Latin and Central America and Africa on seasonal conditions and how to get the most out of Australian barley.
We took part in a WA Government delegation to India in July 2022 to help build opportunities for Australian malting barley.
We hosted webinars and briefings for the Chinese malting and brewing industries.
With the Chinese market now open once again, we look forward to continuing to engage with Chinese customers to help maintain Australia’s most important barley market.
Co-investors: the Australian Government through the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program; Grains Australia
Innovative new malting technology
We manufactured a prototype version of our innovative “MultiMalter” device, which identifies optimised malting conditions for new malting barley varieties.
The MultiMalter can greatly speed up the accreditation process and help customers adopt new varieties more quickly, making it more likely they will continue to buy malting barley from Australia.
We continue to engage with industry on how best to implement the MultiMalter to create the most value.
Co-investor: South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
I believe the work done by AEGIC (to) date in India in building Australian barley profile… is noteworthy and commendable.
The barley webinars that AEGIC are leading into Mexico, Central and South America area a very effective tool in presenting Australian barley and they have supported actual trade. When asked why he has continued to buy grain from Australia, one of our buyers said ‘We attended one of those… webinars and was impressed with level of knowledge and maturity of the Australian industry. This gave us confidence which was then further demonstrated through easy and open negotiation and eventual trouble free supply’.
Australian grains for Asian animal feed
Consumers in Asia are buying more meat and animal products as their economies and incomes grow. Australian grains are a reliable and high-quality choice for animal feed diets because of their low moisture and cleanliness.
We help feed grain buyers understand the benefits of using Australian grains and how to incorporate them in livestock rations, supporting the demand for Australian feed grains.
Consumers in Asia are buying more meat and animal products as their economies and incomes grow. Australian grains are a reliable and high-quality choice for animal feed diets because of their low moisture and cleanliness.
We help feed grain buyers understand the benefits of using Australian grains and how to incorporate them in livestock rations, supporting the demand for Australian feed grains.
Stimulating demand for feed grains
Preserving value for weather damaged crops
Stimulating demand for feed grains
Working with leading Australian animal feed nutrition experts, we hosted 6 webinars for the livestock industries of Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, China and South Korea.
Providing practical, technical information on how to use Australian grains for animal feed helps pave the way for increased use of Australian grains in these markets.
Co-investors: the Australian Government’s ATMAC program; Grains Australia
Preserving value for weather damaged crops
Some regions suffered a wet harvest in 2022, resulting in weather damaged (sprouted) crops. In response, we led a series of 5 webinars for the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Indonesia and South Korea. Customers were provided with practical, technical information on how to use sprouted wheat for animal feed. Stimulating demand for sprouted grains helps preserve some value for growers.
Co-investors: GRDC through Grains Australia
(AEGIC is) doing a great job in getting these doors open.
Market information, insight and analysis
We analyse market and consumer trends to identify opportunities for Australian grains. Our insights help the Australian industry identify and capture the best opportunities, and prepare for future challenges.
We analyse market and consumer trends to identify opportunities for Australian grains. Our insights help the Australian industry identify and capture the best opportunities, and prepare for future challenges.
Grain Market Insights Portal
Health and sustainability trends
Insights and analysis for industry
Grain Market Insights Portal
We developed a prototype insights portal displaying dynamic current and forward-looking information on global pulse markets.
The team is also developing templates and other tools that will help industry with investment decisions.
Key stakeholders, including Grains Australia and GRDC, are in support of the portal and the system is now being expanded to include wheat, barley and other grains. The system and tools will be available to Australian stakeholders in 2024.
Co-investors: the Australian Government’s ATMAC program; GRDC
Health and sustainability trends
We examined food labelling trends in key grain markets to identify trends and opportunities.
Medium term opportunities are related to health, while longer term, Asian consumers will be increasingly interested in the sustainability of supply chains.
This series of papers will help industry develop strategies to respond to these trends.
Co-investor: GRDC
Insights and analysis for industry
We provided market intelligence for industry, including insights on pulse opportunities (faba, lentil, chickpea, field pea), health and sustainability trends, and supply chain challenges and opportunities.
Our Improving Australia’s containerised grain exports report was released in August 2022 and supported through 7 presentations at grains industry events around the country. We contributed to a Productivity Commission draft report on container port productivity. AEGIC’s contribution helped inform the report, which found higher productivity at Australia’s container reports is achievable and would deliver significant benefits.
As noted previously, I think this is a particularly important tool and truly look forward to working with you and the AEGIC team as you build and expand this further, including wheat and barley.
LA Judge Award
AEGIC hosted the 54th LA Judge Award for Baking Apprentice of the Year competition and Award Ceremony in Sydney in May.
The LA Judge Award is run by AEGIC to support the Australian grain and baking industries, and to help ensure the future of the industry is in good hands. The competition bought together the best young baking apprentices from Australia and New Zealand with young Tasmanian baker Bjarke Svendsgaard taking the prize.
The LA Judge Award would not be possible without the support of industry sponsors, which in 2023 included major sponsor and gala dinner sponsor Woolworths, major sponsor and prize sponsor Puratos, major sponsors Lesaffre, NBIA, Vanrooy, Australian Bakels, Allied Pinnacle and Manildra, and supporting sponsors Mauri and ADM.
Commercial services and training
AEGIC offers leading services to the Australian grain and food industries.
- Technical support and training courses
- Grain quality testing
- NATA-accredited food analysis
- Baking innovation
- Noodle technology
- Cake and biscuit technology
- Micromalting and malt quality analysis
- Product and process innovation
- Milling technology
That’s fantastic service – thanks for the speed that you put that all through, much appreciated.
Our people
Our strong focus on values and workplace wellbeing underpins our positive culture and drives our passion to deliver AEGIC’s vision. A thorough staff culture survey in 2022 found that 89% of employees are proud to work for AEGIC.
We support the ongoing development of our team of 45 through investment in training and development. Safety and well-being is a key focus through a number of programs and initiatives.
We are proud of our diversity, with many different cultures represented at AEGIC. Our highly qualified team excels across multiple areas of expertise.
9
Masters
18
Staff in NSW
39
Bachelor Degree
89%
proud to work for AEGIC
21
Certificates
25
Staff in WA
16
PhD
2
Staff in VIC
8
Grad Dip/Grad Cert
13
Advanced Dip
AEGIC Values
Respect
Connect
Strive
RESPECT for the individual is at the heart of AEGIC’s relationships between staff, clients, stakeholders and the wider community. Connect
CONNECTING with our stakeholders and clients for grain grower benefit is the focus of our collaborations.
We STRIVE to achieve excellence through continuous improvement, lifelong learning and a curiosity to deliver innovative and commercial solutions to real problems.
