As more people embrace healthier living post-pandemic, demand for natural products and food is at an all-time high but research shows First Nations growers are grossly under-represented when it comes to business opportunities.
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While native Australian ingredients like river mint and quandong peach are on-trend, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up less than one per cent of the native agriculture supply chain, government data shows.
Last year, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) said interest in and demand for bush foods had steadily increased over the last two decades.
"But First Nations businesses as suppliers are grossly under-represented in the supply chain, comprising less than one per cent of growers, farm managers and exporters across the native botanicals supply chain, and generating only one per cent of the industry's produce and dollar value," ILSC wrote.
The native food industry was estimated to be worth more than $80 million in the 2019-2020 financial year, with the potential to double by 2025, according to data from the University of Sydney.
Experts are calling on industry leaders to create more pathways for Indigenous suppliers.
Lisa Carroll, managing director of Native Extracts, a leading supplier of Australian native botanical extracts in collaboration with First Nations enterprises, said doing so would help marginalised communities.
"If we can strengthen growth of the native ingredient supply chain, we can improve socio-economic outcomes for First Nation growers as well as amplify their important stories, which need to be heard," Ms Carroll said.
Yuin man Dominic Smith, owner of the Pundi Produce and Diramu brands, said industry support for First Nations people was long overdue.
"Aboriginal people have nurtured the native food industry for 60,000 years." Mr Smith said.
"Native plants have been our food and medicine, our totems, our songlines and our cultural heritage; but we are sometimes overlooked in the industry, and business efficiency takes priority. It's time to change to a future where our people are empowered, they have a strong belief system and our culture is celebrated and shared with everyone."
In response to the under-representation of First Nations people in the agriculture supply chain, consumer goods giant Colgate-Palmolive recently announced it would begin seeking out Indigenous growers in developing its Palmolive Skin Food products.
"By partnering with First Nations growers, we hope to set off a domino effect among companies like ours, which will provide new opportunities for indigenous communities," senior brand manager Kate Johnson said.
Australian Associated Press
