Australian meat industry bullish on China market

CHENGDU, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — Australian meat industry associations are bullish on the potential of the Chinese market, eyeing further increases in exports to China.

China Meat Association and the Australian Red Meat Industry China Working Group on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

The two pledged to set up a joint working group for meat industry associations from the two countries, stepping up cooperation in technology exchanges, marketing and scientific research to further promote the growth of the red meat industry.

Patrick Hutchinson, CEO of Australian Meat Industry Council, said the Chinese red meat market has a huge potential, with Australian beef exports to China having exceeded 170,000 tonnes this year.

The agreement will further promote the red meat trade, said Hutchinson, adding that he has high expectations for the Chinese market as the diet structure of the Chinese people changes.

China surpassed the United States and Japan for the first time this year to be Australia’s largest export destination for mutton and beef, according to Michael Finucan, general manager of the International Markets of the Meat & Livestock Australia.

Li Shuilong, president of China Meat Association, said the agreement is designed to further tap the bilateral red meat trade potential and to speed up the formulation of industry standards on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The two countries still have huge cooperation potential as the Chinese people increase their demand for quality meat, said Li.