South Australia’s Hellenic community came together on Wednesday, May 28 for the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce’s Food Trade & Gastronomy Event, celebrating the strength, innovation, and export potential of local Greek-owned food and beverage businesses.
The event was sponsored by Foodland SA and Venus Citrus, a third generation Greek Australian family business located in the Riverland of SA.
Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre overlooking the River Torrens and Adelaide Oval, the event brought together over 100 attendees including entrepreneurs, government representatives, and trade leaders, to network, share ideas, and explore global opportunities.
The Chamber welcomed a number of high-profile guests, including Dr Alexandra Theodoropoulou, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, The Hon. Connie Bonaros, MLC, The Hon. Jing Lee, MLC, with Mr. Liew, The Hon. Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of SA, Mary Couros, Adelaide City Councillor, Chloe Kourakis, SA Multicultural Commission, and Board members from HACCI SA.
A special appearance was made by the Bank of Sydney, with CEO Melos Sulicich, Head of Trade Finance Peter Christo, and Head of Business Banking Sam Tomaras in attendance. The Bank was applauded for its longstanding support of the Greek Australian business community nationwide.
HACCI SA Chair Alex Demetriou opened the evening by reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to supporting local business success and international trade.
“As a member-funded organisation, our mission is clear—create meaningful opportunities, unlock trade, and build pathways for investment,” he said.
The structured program focused on three key pillars vital to business success: knowledge, insights, and funding. These were brought to life by three key industry voices:
- Olga Kostic, Export Adviser at Austrade’s TradeStart program, offered guidance on how businesses can better navigate export markets and government support. Drawing from a global career in food, wine, and biotech industries, she shared practical pathways for market access and growth.
- Steve Xenikoudis, COO of Foodland SA, shared Foodland’s journey of growth, community connection, and customer-focused innovation. His talk highlighted the power of values-led retailing and strategic execution.
- Peter Christo, Head of Trade Finance at the Bank of Sydney, provided a clear and practical presentation on international trade finance, empowering business owners to take the next step in scaling their ventures globally.
Their insights reflected the Chamber’s strategic focus on helping South Australian businesses scale, export, and attract global investment.
Strengthening bilateral trade with Greece
Fresh from a landmark binational webinar hosted by the Chamber and the National HACCI Federation — with ambassadors from Greece and Australia — the event highlighted real movement in bilateral trade and investment.
Notable wins included:
- Greek yoghurt gaining approval for export to Australia
- Over €1 billion in 2024 Australia–Greece trade, led by tourism and maritime services
- Growing investment by Australian firms in Greece, such as Macquarie’s €2.1B energy network stake
The Chamber is actively advocating for a Free Trade Agreement, double tax treaties, and direct flights between Australia and Greece to further support trade and mobility.
Celebrating local producers
Guests sampled premium products from Venus Citrus, Flinders Run Wines, Raidis Wines, Paul Mara Wines, St. Louis Ice Cream, and Southern Spirits — all proudly Greek Australian owned.
“This event isn’t just about celebration—it’s about unlocking what’s next,” Demetriou said. “Our Chamber stands ready to support local producers who want to grow beyond South Australia, and investors looking to tap into our dynamic food and beverage scene.”
*All photos supplied by GCanatelis Photography
