BFTB generates more than $9m in revenue for rural small businesses

grains, rural businesses, bush

The Buy From The Bush (BFTB) initiative has generated more than $9 million in revenue for rural small businesses since launching in 2019 according to their latest Impact Report, conducted in partnership with Meta (Facebook’s parent company).

The report Buy From The Bush: Harnessing the power of digital tools to create lasting change in rural Australia highlighted the following insights about the program:

  • BFTB is seen to promote the growth of female-led businesses, with 97 per cent of BFTB businesses being owned by women.
  • 69 per cent of rural SMEs agree that digital businesses present opportunities for rural communities to grow.
  • 96  per cent of rural SME respondents believe SMEs are critical for regional communities and that digital connectivity has enabled businesses to exist from anywhere and bounce back from multiple crises.
  • 70 per cent of surveyed BFTB followers said BFTB had changed their perception of rural communities, with more people now choosing to shop at and support rural Australia businesses.
  • 96 per cent of SMEs acknowledge that SMEs are critical for regional communities, with the top reasons including providing jobs (85 per cent), improving quality of life (74 per cent) and helping to create a vibrant community (72 per cent).

Since 2019, BFTB has amassed more than 550,000 followers across Facebook and Instagram, processed over 50,000 transactions via the BFTB Marketplace and onboarded more than 250 bush-based creators, makers and small businesses.

Aside from the jointly-prepared report, Buy from the Bush and Meta have been working together to showcase rural and regional small businesses across Australia giving them the tools, training and resources to grow and thrive.

“The growth of Buy From The Bush has clearly demonstrated the talent and ingenuity of rural makers, creators, artists and retailers launching and scaling businesses from ‘the middle of nowhere’,” Grace Brennan, Founder of Buy From The Bush, said.

“Our hope is that off-farm, women-led enterprises continue to grow and contribute layers of diversity and opportunity to rural Australia. As we emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of what has been a devastating week for communities in parts of Eastern Australia, it is more important than ever that small businesses in regional Australia remain visible and accessible. If supported and enabled, they will undoubtedly play a critical role in rebuilding the Australian economy.”

Alisha Elliott, Head of Policy Programs for Meta ANZ, said, “Through drought, bushfires, and now as we emerge from the pandemic, Buy From The Bush has shown that platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be a great equaliser for businesses in regional and remote Australia.

“Buy From The Bush’s success is a testament to how strong and digitally-enabled businesses aren’t just beneficial for the people in the business, but also vital to support thriving communities across regional Australia,” Elliott added. “That’s why we’re incredibly proud to have partnered with Buy From The Bush to support rural businesses across Australia with the tools, training and resources to grow and thrive.”

Bruce Billson, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, said, “Small businesses are integral to the vitality of rural and regional communities, and during times of difficulty we’ve seen the importance of digital tools in adding to the viability, robustness and preparedness for businesses.

“Seeing what Grace and the many Buy From The Bush businesses have achieved over the last two years in response to the drought, is absolutely inspiring to see and shows the very best of resilience and community spirit in action,” Billson conculded.