Riverina business Gundagai Lamb has been crowned NSW Exporter of the Year, taking out the top honour at this year’s NSW Export Awards.
Founded by the Barton family, whose involvement in the Australian meat industry spans more than a century, Gundagai Lamb has built a reputation for quality and innovation, exporting its products to global markets while supporting jobs and economic activity in regional NSW.
The business led a strong field of winners at the 2026 NSW Export Awards, which showcase the NSW businesses driving economic growth, creating jobs and taking the state’s products, services and expertise to customers around the world.
Now in its 64th year, the NSW Export Awards recognise the achievements and resilience of NSW exporters, with this year’s program spanning 13 national categories and three NSW categories.
Winners in the national categories progress as finalists for the Australian Export Awards to be held in Canberra on 18 November 2026.
Other winners included RBK Nutraceuticals, which took out the Western Sydney Exporter category. The manufacturer has been producing health and wellness supplements since 1996 and supplies retailers in more than a dozen countries.
Flavourtech won the Regional Exporter category. Established in 1987, the company specialises in aroma recovery, extraction and evaporation technology for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries and exports to more than 60 countries.
Newcastle-based Pitcrew AI won in the Resources and Energy category for its autonomous heavy-vehicle inspection technology. Its system uses thermal imaging, computer vision and AI to detect potential tyre problems, helping improve safety and reduce downtime. The technology is deployed across Australia, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.
Their success comes as the Minns Labor Government expands support for exporters through a renewed suite of programs being delivered in 2026-27.
For more information about this year’s NSW Export Award winners visit: https://export.org.au/nsw-export-awards.
For more information about the NSW Government’s support for exporters visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/export-from-nsw.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Congratulations to Gundagai Lamb on being named NSW Exporter of the Year, and all of the excellent finalists who have won awards.
“The Minns Labor Government is focused on growing the economy the right way, by backing businesses to expand, invest and create jobs.
“The businesses recognised in these awards are proof that NSW can compete with anyone in the world when we support innovation, ambition and entrepreneurship.
“From the Riverina to Newcastle and Western Sydney, these exporters are putting NSW on the map and driving economic growth in communities across our state.”
Export Council of Australia Chair Dianne Tipping said:
“As Chair of the Export Council, I have the privilege of seeing the dedication and determination that sits behind successful export businesses.
“The organisations recognised through this year’s NSW Export Awards have demonstrated not only excellence in international markets, but the resilience, adaptability and leadership required to succeed in an increasingly complex global environment.
“Their achievements are helping strengthen NSW’s reputation around the world and will undoubtedly inspire other businesses to pursue their own export ambitions.”
Gundagai Lamb CEO Will Barton said:
“We are a family-owned and operated business from Gundagai, proudly exporting our lamb to major cities around the world.
“Gundagai Lamb has never stood still, constantly innovating to change how lamb is measured and valued, ensuring it earns its place on tables across the globe.
“The Export Awards are an opportunity to tell our story beyond the farm gate, showcasing how innovation, quality and a commitment to excellence have helped us build markets and relationships around the world.”
RBK Nutraceuticals Managing Director David Mumford said:
“We really appreciate the strong and ongoing support we receive from Investment NSW, particularly the opportunities to participate in major international trade exhibitions and programs.
“With the challenges all exporters are facing, this support makes a real difference, helping RBK build valuable business relationships, develop new markets and continue growing internationally.”
Flavourtech CEO Leon Skaliotis said:
“For more than a decade, the NSW Export Awards have provided Flavourtech with a platform to tell our story and celebrate the success of regional NSW manufacturing.
“They have allowed us to demonstrate that innovative food and beverage technology developed, engineered and produced in regional NSW can compete on the world stage and earn the trust of customers in more than 60 countries.”
Pitcrew AI CEO Tim Snell said:
“The NSW Export Awards provide an opportunity to tell our story.
“What began with a small team in the NSW Hunter developing solutions to reduce heat-related failures in tyres, brakes and bearings has grown into an export success, helping improve safety and reliability for heavy vehicle fleets on five continents.”