FOR the second year in a row Fewster’s Farm is a finalist in the Australian Export Awards.
Last year the Muchea business was a finalist in the agribusiness award and this year it is a finalist in the regional exporter award category.
The business has been involved in beekeeping for more than 100 years and prides itself on continuing a long tradition of ethical beekeeping.
Owner Kim Fewster said the family business was the world’s biggest producer and supplier of jarrah honey which was only produced in Western Australia every two years.
“We export to China, Vietnam, parts of Malaysia and the Middle East and I am very proud of what we have achieved as a family and a business,’’ he said.
On the Fewster’s Farm website Mr Fewster says beekeeping was introduced to the family’s Muchea farm in 1916 when Robert Fewster, a civil engineer, left several hives he had been given on the farm before going to South Australia to oversee the construction of drains and irrigation lines.
“Beekeeping soon became a good source of income for the four of the six Fewster sons, Vince, Nelson, Norman and my grandfather Jim,’’ Kim Fewster said.
Mr Fewster said they all worked together for many years but then split the business up as they got older.
“Honey was collected, as it is now from the ancient forests and bush land that are close to the farm, then as transport became better, venturing to places like Pemberton for the much prized karri honey and Kalgoorlie when the trees flowered,’’ he said.
Pearce MHR Christian Porter said the awards celebrated the international success of local companies, recognising their export achievements and contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity.
“I am delighted that Fewster’s Farm Honey is again one of 77 finalists in the running for an award,” he said.
“More than a third of this year’s finalists are classified as small businesses, with 20 or fewer staff, and for 59 per cent of finalists, exports comprised more than half their revenue.
“Together, they generated more than $3.9 billion in export sales in 2016-17 and employed more than 31,000 people.
“Businesses like these represent the very best Australia has to offer – from small, family-owned businesses to listed corporations, they are making a tangible contribution to the nation.”
Mr Porter said the Liberal Government recognised that creating new and significant export opportunities for Australian businesses meant more exports and more jobs.
“The Liberal Government is pursuing the most ambitious trade agenda in Australia’s history to open up more opportunities for businesses like Fewster’s Farm Honey.”
