The South Australian Food Industry Growth Through Innovation (GTI) Strategy Research Project was undertaken by Food South Australia, with assistance from PIRSA and the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Global Food and Resources in 2016/17.
The aim of this project was to identify innovation opportunities for the South Australian food and beverage industry, and to identify barriers or challenges that could reduce access to those opportunities.
The project assessed market trends and capabilities and identified options to deliver benefits to consumers and/or value chain customers, assessed opportunities and identified pathways for collaboration and innovation. The project research process included looking at active markets, global consumer trends and segmented consumer markets, industry capacity, current research and development activity and resources, and current government policies and programs supporting innovation in the food industry in South Australia.
The GTI Strategy Research Project comprised an online survey open to food manufacturers and producers actively adding value at the farm gate based in South Australia, in-depth interviews with food industry professionals, and workshops with regional food manufacturers and industry leaders.
The results of the GTI Research Project, Food South Australia’s 2016 State of the South Australian Food Industry Survey and learnings from Food South Australia’s programs and projects were analysed to develop the an industry-led strategic framework for growth through innovation.
What do we mean by innovation?
Innovation takes many forms. Broadly, these can be grouped as innovations in the ‘offering’ (for example, products and product performance), the ‘configuration’ (for example, business structure and processes) and the ‘experience’ (for example, service, branding, customer engagement, sales channels).
In the case of this project, the areas of innovation being explored focus on products, packaging, consumer services, value chain design and relationships, integrity and traceability systems, and new business models and partnerships.
For the purposes of this project and the development of the strategic framework, innovation has been defined as including both the solution-seeking process and the resulting outcome that resolves a constraint or enables uptake of an opportunity. A successful innovation environment is characterised by strong stakeholder involvement – including a shared and inspiring future vision, availability of essential skills, a collaborative culture, openness to experimentation, positive and flexible responses to disruption, and sufficient resources.
What do we mean by growth?
For the purpose this project and the development of the strategic framework, growth is defined as increasing sales, expanding markets, improving profitability and creating new jobs in the South Australian food and beverage sector.
Project partners: The Centre for Global Food and Resources (GFAR)
The primary research and analysis phases of the GTI Strategy Research project were undertaken The Centre for Global Food and Resources (GFAR), at the University of Adelaide. GFAR undertakes research in fields including economics of food value chains, innovation systems for food and agriculture, food and nutrition policy, food security, resource and environmental economics, and the role of agrifood in growth and development. GFAR has conducted research projects in Australia, the European Union, North America, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Pacific islands, and Africa.
This project was undertaken with funding support from Primary Industries and Regions SA.
Project results
The online survey component of this project was conducted in tandem with the 2016 State of the South Australian Food Industry Survey in mid 2016. The interview phase was conducted through the second half of 2016. Click on the links below for more information.
- Fact sheet: The Growth Through Innovation Research Strategy Project
- Fact sheet: 2016 South Australian Food Industry Survey