SPC and NAB 2025 outlook indicates volatility and opportunity

C4GS Chair Leigh Findlay welcomed almost 140 attendees business and community leaders, members of state and local governments and agencies, and representatives from Australian Gas Infrastructure group and the Port of Melbourne.

In acknowledging the long list of introductions Leigh reflected on the strong interest in the region.

“As a region we matter,” Leigh said.

“Our $5.5 billion of manufacturing matters to the state and national economy.

“Our exports that dominate volumes leaving the Port of Melbourne matter.

“That 32 local industrial customers account for 8% of Victoria’s industrial gas use matters.

“We have challenges with inputs including housing, workforce, water and energy, but our economic engine room is food and food manufacturing, and the world will always need to eat.”

C4GS CEO Linda Nieuwenhuizen described the fast and volatile start to 2025 with the C4GS Community Connector Program providing a barometer of activity and supporting more than 200 professionals in the various stages of relocating to the region since Christmas.

“That’s 200 professionals needing support with schools, housing and social connections in our region – but it’s also more than $50 million into our local economy every year and allows us to deliver services locally and to grow industry and business,” Linda said.

In welcoming NAB Head of Markets Troy Furlong Lindy noted interest rates were a very familiar topic for homeowners, investors and business, but the region’s exposure to international trade was equally important.

Each year Greater Shepparton exports more than $500 million of product to the world – and more than half is manufactured food and groceries followed by agriculture. However, the region also imports almost $1 billion of products with machinery, equipment and inputs for manufacturing making up nearly 90%.

“What happens in international markets and what happens to the Australian dollar is very important to the competitiveness and prosperity of our local industry – Troy has given us much to consider as we adapt to a persistently volatile outlook,” Linda said. SPC’s Managing Director Robert Iervasi also spoke to SPC Global’s export ambitions that have expanded following its merger with Nature One Dairy and the Original Juice Company in November 2024.

SPC Global brings together four product streams and provides critical export pathways including Nature One Dairy’s established in-country networks Robert highlighted the critical need to develop its product offering to match the needs and preferences of consumers in local and international markets and emphasised the growth in functional foods and new product formats and taste combinations.

He also reinforced the advantages of its Shepparton operations located along side high quality food producers.

In reflecting on his experience across the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Robert indicated the challenge was to understand and develop products consumers with different palates and lifestyle needs will want to eat and drink in five and ten years from now.

These trends will flow through to future skills and workforce with technology and artificial intelligence redefining food manufacturing, and expected to see increased demand for engineers, food and ag scientists, and people to optimise the use of AI in increasingly automated and sophisticated manufacturing plants.

“It’s a privilege to bring industry and community leaders together to hear from experienced professionals like Troy and Rob – and for their presentations be a catalyst for lively and lengthy conversations,” Leigh said