The Riverina’s SunRice products were among other irrigated agricultural products to be showcased at the Farrer Food Fair at Parliament House last week.
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The second annual event, an initiative by Farrer MP Sussan Ley, showcased small-to-big businesses and exporters from around the Farrer electorate.
The event gave members, senators and parliamentary staff a taste of what the region has to offer.
Comprising Albury, Corowa, Narrandera, Leeton, Griffith, Deniliquin, Hay, Balranald and Wentworth and encompassing the Murray, Murrumbidgee and lower Darling rivers, Farrer’s irrigated agriculture contribute more than $7.1 billion to the national economy.
A SunRice spokeswoman said the event gave guests more insights about how the organisation was growing its footprint “as a global exporter, securing premium markets for the different rice varieties grown in the Riverina”.
“Strategic partnerships with Japanese food wholesalers are opening up new value-added opportunities for SunRice’s premium Australian short grain varieties in Japan’s restaurant and sushi chain market,” the spokeswoman said.
“Our unique low GI rice is being launched in countries aware of the health issues associated with diabetes and obesity, while medium and long grain varieties are growing in popularity among Middle Eastern cultures.”
Ms Ley said that Farrer was “truly the home of irrigated agriculture – producing rice, grapes, cotton and cereals, through to diary, wool, fat lambs and cattle”.
“We also have important industries surrounding citrus, horticulture and vegetable production,” Ms Ley said.
On the day, SunRice teamed up with longtime customer Sushi Sushi to serve a sushi tasting for more than 150 attendees.
“A variety of SunRice’s rice and value-added rice products were also on display and available to guests to take home in a handy SunRice tote bag,” the spokeswoman said.
“Products included low GI rice, sushi rice, the new super grains microwave cups range, the ever-popular brown rice chips, adult-sized rice cake bites and mini bites.
“The fair was a fantastic way to recognise the significant contribution the vibrant communities of the Farrer region make to Australia’s agricultural production, and SunRice was proud to be able to represent the rice industry in this way.”
