Akubra Celebrates 146 Years Of Hats With Australia Made Week

Australia Made Week says that over the last year, there has been a major shift in favour of locally made products.

Nowhere is that clearer than the instantly recognisable Akubra hat, which has been an essential part of Aussie farmer’s wardrobes for over 140 years.

There’s also a four-month wait for country folk, city slickers, or the average Joe to get their hands on a hat with business booming in recent months.

According to Australia Made Week, there has been a hunger for locally made goods – in particular food and beverages, skincare and pharmaceuticals.

Kelly Armstrong, Business Australia, Senior Manager, Strategic Advisory Consulting Services, said demand for local products – grown or produced in Australia – has soared in the last 12 months.

“The uncertainty created around international and domestic border closures and the ongoing global supply chain issues has driven an increased interest from consumers on supporting local producers and manufacturers,” said Armstrong.

“It’s really easy to make a conscious decision to support Australian-made now,” she said.

Nine out of 10 (93 per cent) shoppers said they were more likely to buy products made in Australia than from overseas, up from 87 per cent a year earlier, according to Roy Morgan research, released this month.

“When you are buying Australian made, you are buying quality products, made to the highest standards and by business owners who have persevered through some of the most difficult economic conditions we have seen in modern times,” said Armstrong.

“One of the other big trends we are seeing, is that convenience is king – globally, consumer adoption of e-commerce has driven many businesses to rapidly change their approach to market to keep their doors open.”

“There has been a rise in online retail and grocery shopping, and in pre-made meal services using local produce offering both convenience and safety, straight to the door.”

“Consumers are more focused than ever on the quality of the product they are sourcing and there is a sense that local and Australian-made offers good value and supports local business.”

The sectors showing the greatest demand for Australian-made, according to Business Australia are:

Food and beverage:

The buy-local trend has been growing in popularity for several years now following bushfires and drought, and during the COVID-19 crisis. Markets are booming and so are offerings where you can buy direct from the farmer or producer.
Supermarkets are now selling local seafood, traditionally bound for China and overseas markets, and food delivery services like Marley Spoon are focusing on Australian suppliers, with exclusive use of Australian-grown tinned tomatoes in its meal kits.

Health and wellbeing:

The growing consumer focus on natural, organic and clean products has extended from food to what we use on our body. Aussies are adopting a more holistic approach to their beauty routine and focusing further than skin deep. With Australian-made products there is a sense of trust in the products used.

Pharmaceuticals:

Australia’s multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical market has been growing steadily over the past 10 years, despite the pandemic and disrupted global supply chains. This is an area we are still yet to see more growth in the coming years.

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