Fifth Global Food Forum in Melbourne tomorrow.

TOMORROW The Australian will host the fifth Global Food Forum in Melbourne. 

The previous four events attracted a combined 1,600 delegates and helped to set the agenda for agribusiness in Australia.

agribusiness is a vital sector which plays a key role in the nation’s economy, turning over more than $150 billion and employing more than 500,000 people.

Key speakers at this year's conference include:

• Brad Banducci Chief Executive Officer, Woolworths 
• Anthony Pratt Executive Chairman, Visy

Discussion topics and speakers also include: 

• The view from China. Louis Li Deputy General Manager, JD.com
• Cracking China’s consumer economy. John O’Loghlen Director of Business Development Australia and New Zealand, Alibaba Group and Albert Tse Founder, Wattle Hill
• Making hay: Riding the ASX food boom. Mick McMahon Chief Executive Officer, Ingham’s and Christine Holgate Chief Executive Officer, Blackmores
• The dairy crisis: Is the worst finally over? Barry Irvin Executive Chairman, Bega Cheese and René Dedoncker Managing Director, Fonterra Australia
• Farming and investing smarter: The ag tech revolution. Harry Debney Chief Executive Officer, Costa Group and Sam Trethewey Chief Executive Officer, SproutX

The Australian will be live blogging from the event. You can keep up to date with the discussions at: www.theaustralian.com.au/gff. 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

9.15am Conference Opening & Welcome
Paul Whittaker Editor-in-Chief, The Australian

9.20am Keynote Address
Anthony Pratt Executive Chairman, Visy

9.30am In Conversation
Brad Banducci Chief Executive Officer, Woolworths, with The Australian’s John Durie on putting the customer first.

10.00am Keynote Address via video
Gina Rinehart Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting Group and S. Kidman and Co. Why Hancock is betting its future on agriculture.

10.40am In Conversation
The Chinese food revolution. John O’Loghlen, Director of Business Development Australia and New Zealand, Alibaba Group with Glenda Korporaal Associate Editor-Business, The Australian.

11.00am Panel Discussion
Cracking China’s consumer economy. Albert Tse, Founder, Wattle Hill and Peter Nathan, Chief Executive Officer A2 Milk with Glenda Korporaal Associate Editor-Business, The Australian

11.30am In Conversation
Former Minister for Trade Andrew Robb talks to Sue Neales Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian about northern Australia, China and life after politics.

11.50am Panel Discussion
Making hay: Riding the ASX food boom. Mick McMahon Chief Executive Officer, Ingham’s and Christine Holgate Chief Executive Officer, Blackmores with Damon Kitney, Victorian Business Editor, The Australian

1.20pm In Conversation via video
David MacLennan Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Cargill with Cameron Stewart Associate Editor, The Australian.

1.35pm Panel Discussion
The dairy crisis: Is the worst finally over? Barry Irvin Executive Chairman, Bega Cheese and
René Dedoncker Managing Director, Fonterra Australia with Eli Greenblat Retail Writer, The Australian

2.05pm Panel Discussion
Banking on the farm - a good investment? David Goodfellow Chief Executive Officer, Rifa Australia and Michael Dundon Chief Executive Officer, VicSuper with Eric Johnston Business Editor, The Australian

2.30pm Panel Discussion
Farming and investing smarter: The ag tech revolution.
Harry Debney Chief Executive Officer, Costa Group and Sam Trethewey Chief Executive Officer, SproutX with Sue Neales Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian.

3.25pm Panel Discussion
Smashed avocados, healthy fast food and organic: the consumers of the future. Steven Marks Chief Executive Officer, Guzman Y Gomez and Katrina Myers Chief Executive Officer, Barham Avocados with Bernard Salt Columnist, The Australian.

3.50pm Panel Discussion
In the kitchen: Restaurant trends. Peter Gilmore, Quay restaurant and Alla Wolf-Tasker, Lake House and John Lethlean restaurant reviewer, The Australian

4.20pm Conference review and wrap
Darren Thomas Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Foods International, with Damon Kitney Victorian Business Editor, The Australian and Sue Neales, Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian

ENDS