Inspired by Culture and Country, Kakadu Organics builds an international reputation
From the heart of one of Australia’s largest national parks, a premium brand of native foods and wellbeing products has grown into a thriving business with an international footprint.
Founded by proud Murrumburr woman Kylie-Lee Bradford, Kakadu Organics began in the small Aboriginal community of Murdudjurl, also known as Patonga, in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Today, the business supplies native food, organic bush teas and wellbeing, and skincare products.
At nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu is one of only 42 UNESCO World Heritage sites listed for both its natural and cultural values.
As a living cultural landscape, the national park encompasses significant cultural sites and reflects the continuing history and presence of its Traditional Owners.
It was within this unique environment, and alongside her mother, that Kylie-Lee launched her first business, Kakadu Tiny Tots.
An enduring connection to Country remains at the heart of Kakadu Organics, with cultural integrity, ethical wild harvesting, fair partnerships and sustainability underpinning the brand.
Kylie-Lee and her team work to ensure income flows directly back to Aboriginal communities, supporting employment, economic independence and long-term resilience.
“It’s a very important part of Kakadu Organics that we work alongside Aboriginal women in rural and remote communities who are the custodians of traditional plant knowledge and seasonal harvesting practices. Assisting and mentoring women on Country to develop their own businesses and business acumen is an important part of what we do and incredibly rewarding,” says Kylie-Lee.
The business achieved significant domestic growth through a partnership with TK Maxx, with Kakadu Organics products stocking more than 100 stores nationally. The partnership increased brand visibility and sales volume across Australia, helping establish a strong foundation for international expansion.
Kakadu Organics entered the Singapore market in 2023, followed by the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The United States and, more recently, Taiwan have since joined the business's growing international footprint.
Since commencing exports, Kakadu Organics has experienced significant international growth. In 2024-25, export revenues increased by over 200%, driven by new international contracts, repeat orders from established distributors and expanded demand for premium Kakadu Plum and native botanical ingredients.
Exporting has become a significant and rapidly expanding part of the business, with approximately 40% of Kakadu Organics’ annual revenue now generated from international markets.
This success was recognised at Supply Nation’s 2026 Supplier Diversity Awards, where Kakadu Organics received the Indigenous Exporter of the Year Award. Kakadu Organics was also awarded overall winner, First Nations Exporter, at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2026.
“Our mission,” says Kylie-Lee, “is to share Australia’s unique bush foods with the world while creating sustainable economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities.
“By combining traditional knowledge with modern manufacturing standards, we can deliver high-quality, export-ready products to international markets. We have developed strategic international relationships built on trust, shared values and mutual commitment to quality and cultural integrity which are central to our export success and sustainable growth.”
“We actively communicate the provenance, cultural significance and social impact of our products to global buyers.”
Alongside introductions to potential partners through Supply Nation, Kakadu Organics works closely with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) to identify potential distributors, understand local regulatory requirements and participate in trade shows and promotional events.
Kakadu Organics is actively investing in production scalability, supply chain reliability and quality assurance systems to meet demand while maintaining the standards that underpin the brand. The business continues to expand its range, with recent launches including the Native Kakadu Plum Diffuser and Kakadu Plum Room Spray.
For Kylie-Lee, this growth is about more than taking Australian products to new markets. It is about creating opportunities for Aboriginal women, sharing the knowledge and value of Country and building a business that carries those connections wherever its products go.
