Tapping Into Chinese Middle Class Is Key For Beef
AUSTRALIA – Future prosperity will partly depend on how the high-end food demand from Asia’s expanding middle class is exploited, said Trade Minister Craig Emerson, reacting to record red meat exports for May.
13 June 2013
1 minute read
In total, Australia’s veal and beef exports topped 100,000 tonnes, which was largely down to growing Chinese interest in red meat products which saw a 15 fold increase in buying on May 2012.
This saw Chinese exports rise to 11,500 tonnes, which the government has said is likely to have reached the 100,000 tonnes figure by the end of the year.
The Agriculture Minister, Joe Ludwig, said that this emerging trend testified the success of the Australian meat industry.
“Food produced in Australia has a global reputation for its high quality,” said Minister Ludwig, adding that now was the time to be investing more in new markets.
Such bullishness follows April announcements that four export facilities and 28 cold stores would soon have access to the Chinese market.
“We’re supporting local businesses with grants and extra agricultural counsellors in our overseas markets,” Minister Ludwig said. “Widening the range of export destinations for red meat makes Australian producers less vulnerable to market fluctuations around the world.”
Total export figures for May reached 103,200 tonnes, a 19 per cent rise on the previous May.
TheCattleSite News Desk
