Murrumbateman farmers Ian and Helen Chu could pick mushrooms outside of Canberra on a Monday and have them on Singapore's shelves Tuesday.
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While they haven't begun yet, Mr Chu said the new direct flights from Canberra to Singapore have made it a possibility for his small Murrumbateman mushroom farm to expand internationally.
"Having the direct flights that leave about 11pm at night would potentially mean whatever we pick during the day ... it could be in Singapore by around 5am the next morning," Mr Chu said.
Mr Chu's Majestic Mushrooms was part of a business delegation travelling with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, spruiking Canberra region wares to Singaporean businesses.
The Murrumbateman farmer said he would trial exporting to Singapore before committing to a larger operation.
"We either need to grow with the times or potentially get swept up and get out-competed by the bigger farms," Mr Chu said.
Majestic Mushrooms produces about 20 tonnes a week, small compared to larger operations, which produce about 100-plus tonnes a week.
Mr Chu said the south-east Asian market represented a high opportunity.
"The population is increasing year by year. If you look just outside our doorstep in south-east Asia, it could be a billion people," Mr Chu said.
"That's why this trade mission was probably good timing, with the direct flights to Singapore. Prior to the airport becoming international we probably wouldn't have considered overseas as a viable option.
"Just the logistics of getting mushrooms to Sydney, the time delay could potentially mean loss of quality, loss of shelf life."
Mr Chu's life will be potentially made easier by Pak Fresh, an export assistance business operating at Canberra Airport.
Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Robyn Hendry said a big obstacle for smaller businesses exporting overseas was the paperwork and logistics involved.
"That will make it a lot easier for businesses like theirs to export when they otherwise might not have," Ms Hendry said.
"There is some way to go. We haven't exhausted our capacity to look at international markets. Any increase in exporting will be very good for the Canberra region economy."
