Food Technology – Exam Notes

Resource Description

Food Technology Exam Notes

THE AUSTRALIAN FOOD INDUSTRY (Chapter 1)

1.1 SECTORS OF THE INDUSTRY

• there are four sectors of the food industry. They are:

• agriculture and fisheries
• food processing and manufacture
• food retail
• food service and catering

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

• agriculture is the cultivation of land to produce crops and/or animals
• fisheries is the cultivation of various cold blooded, aquatic species usually for a commercial or scientific purpose

KEY FEATURES

• production of plants and animals
• availability of fertile land and clean waterways (both salt and freshwater)
• significant contributor to economy
• ‘clean green’ image of Australian produce ensures it is highly regarded internationally
• crops include cereals (mainly wheat and rice), vegetables, fruit and nuts
• animal production includes lamb, beef, pork and poultry; and some small-scale production of venison, kangaroo and emu
• animal products include meat, milk, cheese, yoghurt, cream, butter and cooking fats (such as lard)
• fishery products include fish (both salt and freshwater), prawns, yabbies, oysters, lobster, scallops, mussels and other seafood. Many species are caught in rivers, lakes and oceans; however aquaculture and controlled breeding programs are producing reliable supplies at stable prices

FOOD PROCESSING AND MANUFACTURE

• Australia now heavily involved in value-added area of production
• enhanced economic value of industry 

KEY FEATURES

traditional focus on primary produce but economy has benefited from processing and manufacturing