Australia’s agricultural minister Senator Joe Ludwig, is to lead a delegation to the Middle East. The delegation will meet next week with governments and importers to determine a new regulatory framework that seeks to improve welfare for livestock exported from Australia, to meet international standards. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar make up significant markets for livestock exports for Australia and new supply chain assurance frameworks are to apply to a number of these markets from... ...Read more »

Total Australian beef and veal production for 2012 is forecast to reach a record 2.197 million tonnes, according to Meat & Livestock Australia. According to Meat & Livestock Australia’s Chief Economist Tim McRae, the predicted 2.2 per cent increase from 2010’s production volume is a result of continued strong demand from an increasingly diverse range of global markets. Total beef exports are predicted to increase, driven by expansion into Russia, the Middle East and most southern Asian... ...Read more »

Far-reaching reforms are being implemented to simplify the giving of certifications by the Australian Government for agricultural and food exports. According to the Federal Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the reforms aim to reduce “chronic regulatory burdens” and will provide an environment that supports and enhances export market access from Australia. New industry service models for all Australian food export commodities – meat, fish, dairy, grain,... ...Read more »

Despite a fall in Australian lamb production during 2011, strong overseas demand and tight global supplies (particularly out of New Zealand) resulted in the third largest volume of lamb exported from Australia on record.   China saw a major jump during 2011 in Australian lamb imports, up 15 per cent year-on-year, to 29,620 tonnes. This is a region identified by both Australia and New Zealand as a key growth market for lamb (and mutton). With disruptions to New Zealand supply during late 2010... ...Read more »

Latest figures from Australia’s Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry show that the volume of beef exported to Japan during 2011 was the lowest since 2003. Japan is the largest destination of Australian beef exports. Australia sent 30,202 tonnes of beef to Japan in December 2011, taking the annual total to 342,186 tonnes. This was four per cent less than the amount exported in 2010. According to Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian beef exports have been impacted by the... ...Read more »

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has used an address to members of the National Diet of Japan to support further agricultural trade liberalisation and to emphasise the importance of addressing agricultural protectionist reforms in Japan, by negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Japan is Australia’s largest export market for beef and dairy products and is also a key market for Australian wine. Japan is also an important trading partner for a range of Australian... ...Read more »

Two Australian food companies have been honoured for export achievements at the 49th Australian Export Awards. The Australian Export Awards, co-presented by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is one of Australia’s oldest business award programs. Victoria-based dairy company, Longwarry Food Park, won the Agribusiness Award. Longwarry Food Park exports milk powders and dairy-based products to Asia, Africa and the Middle East and has increased... ...Read more »

Major state-owned company of China, Bright Foods Company, is reportedly opening a permanent office in Sydney, signaling an intention to expand its Australian operations. The reports come after the Chinese food group’s acquisition of a 75% stake in Australian food manufacturer Manassen Foods has been approved by the Australian Foreign Institute Review Board. Bright Foods is one of China’s largest dairy producers and a major manufacturer and distributor of consumer food products. The company... ...Read more »

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that current U.S. Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) measures are inconsistent with the U.S.’s WTO trade obligations. The WTO had examined complaints by Canada regarding the United States’ current CoOL requirements. The U.S. Food, Conservation and Energy Act imposes mandatory CoOL for beef, pork, chicken, lamb and goat as well as some perishables sold by U.S. retailers. The WTO ruled that the requirements discriminate against foreign livestock. In... ...Read more »

Japan’s government has imposed a ban on shipments of rice produced in certain parts of Fukushima after high levels of radioactive caesium were detected. The announcement was made by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, who said restrictions had been imposed on the shipment of rice produced in 2011 in former Oguni-mura in Fukushima City, where radiation leaks occurred after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Mr Fujimura said that the Japanese government had asked the Governor of Fukushima... ...Read more »