More than 220 people gathered for The UWA Institute of Agriculture's 20th Industry Forum on July 8, which posed the question: 2030 Agrifood opportunity - Can we capitalise on $200 billion growth?

In his opening address, Institute Director Professor Kadambot Siddique reflected on the milestone achievement of 20 consecutive Industry Forums.

“I am grateful to all the talented, passionate people who have presented on this stage over the past two decades, and our dear friends and collaborators who have attended year after year.”

Professor Kadambot Siddique

Planfarm agronomy consultant Rob Grima and Institute Industry Advisory Board (IAB) member served as Master of Ceremonies.

Image: The speakers at the 2027 Industry Forum hosted by The UWA Institute of Agriculture.

Elders chief executive Mark Allison set the tone with his keynote address, calling on national leaders to recognise the strategic importance of the sector.

Mr Allison likened the gradual way Australia was unknowingly at risk of losing its globally competitive edge to ‘a frog in a boiling billy’.

“The capability for our farmers and agribusiness is extraordinary,” he said.

“But the real question is not whether farmers can adapt – they always have.

“The questions is whether out national leaders will recognise that agriculture is strategically important to Australia’s economic and sovereign stability before the water gets too hot.”

Wilson International Trade Director Peter Wilson then took to the stage to posit that Australian pulse crops could be used to supply nutritious, low-cost food to wider institutions.

"Pulses have a role to play in reducing the cost-per-meal in aged care and hospitals, the defense force and prisons," Mr Wilson said.

“There’s no reason why we can’t put several millions tonnes of pulses into genuinely value-added hands.”

Peter Wilson

RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness Australia & New Zealand general manager Stefan Vogel built upon Mr Allison’s frog analogy in his market research talk, which explored building competitive advantage in Australian foods.

“We heard about the frog, and now I want to look at it from the perspective of the little mouse in the milk pot, and we want to pedal hard and make some cream,” Mr Vogel said.

Image: Carly Veitch leads the panel discussion on stage.

Craig Mostyn Group chief executive Wayne Crofts rounded out the formal talks by exploring recent significant investments in the food chain.

“There is enormous opportunity right here on our doorstep in the next 25 years,” Mr Crofts said.

A thought-provoking panel discussion was facilitated by IAB member and agriculture consultant Carly Veitch, with closing remarks from The WA Minister for Agriculture and Food, the Honourable Jackie Jarvis MLC.

Watch the 2026 Industry Forum on the Institute’s YouTube channel.