TASMANIA'S agricultural sector should be viewing itself as a restaurant rather than a food bowl, says National Farmers' Federation chief executive Simon Talbot.
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Mr Talbot, who was in the state this week with federation president Brent Finlay, said that the sector needed to capitalise on a trade window that had been opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the state in November.
"We passionately believe that agriculture in Tasmania is on the cusp of a golden era.
"The catalyst has been President Xi Jinping's visit and the work [Premier] Will Hodgman has done there, more than any part of Australia or New Zealand, you have this immense amount of interest from China.
"But that window is a finite window, so Tassie needs needs to make sure it is leveraging the relationship and closing deals out in regards to getting premium exports.
"Tassie's agricultural export is about $2 billion, and realistically that will double in the next five to seven years if you can get that relationship right.
"We have talked quite openly with the highest level of government of a 'Restaurant Tasmania' philosophy - it is not the food bowl, it is more like the deli to China.
"If you are thinking like a tier-one restaurant, that is the way forward for Tasmania production.
"There needs to be that uniform approach to get that brand message out there."
Mr Talbot said the Tasmania-China relationship was one that had be successful for the state to remain involved, as there are other areas that were keen to have a similar set-up with the country.
Mr Finlay added that Tasmania's water resources also put it in a strong position.
"That is so exciting for the state - with the rest Australia fighting for water, you are still developing water and water infrastructure."
The duo, who visit the state two or three times a year, caught up with key government and farming figures, and visited Hobart, Cressy, Launceston and Devonport on Monday and Tuesday.