WITH the ban on live sheep exports still fresh in the minds of Western Australian farmers, the state government has announced the success of a ‘red meat’ mission to the UK.
Agricultural exports of lamb and mutton have grown to $22 million in 2023-24 with total agricultural exports hitting a record $41.3 million.
A media release issued by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis on 20 September, claims the success is driven by a free trade agreement which eliminated more than 99% of tariffs on Australian goods.
The ‘red meat mission’ to the UK was led by Minister Jarvis, who along with major Western Australian sheep meat companies met with buyers at Smithfield Market in London, one of Europe’s largest wholesale meat markets. Ms Jarvis said the delegation also strengthened relationships with British meat processors and the UK’s Minister for State for Food, Farming and Fisheries.
“In the first full year of the free trade agreement, Western Australian agricultural exports reached a record $41.3 million, up 15% on the previous year. This was led by growth in sheep meat exports, which rose by 6%, and wine, which increased by 15%.”
The release said several businesses offering a range of WA products from meat and seafood to honey, as well as wine – are already making strides towards entering or increasing sales to the UK market of nearly 67 million people.
“High value Pardoo wagyu beef could soon be on the menu of restaurants and pubs, as the Pilbara pastoral business takes steps towards securing European and UK supply chains.
“The UK is already the State’s most valuable export market for wine, accounting for 36% of total wine exports, with demand continuing to build.
“Australian Rare honey is also building UK market share, with its luxury honey collection available exclusively at high-end retailer Harrods.
“Seafood is making inroads with premium retailer Whole Foods Market choosing to exclusively feature Marine Stewardship Council certified, sustainably sourced Fremantle Octopus in its seafood counters and freezers throughout the UK.
In other WA export news, the winners of the 2024 Western Australian Export Awards have been announced with grain growing co-operative CHH Group winning the Regional Exporter of the year award and Austral Fisheries named as the 2024 Western Australian Exporter of the Year.
Now in its 36th year, 13 winners were announced at the awards ceremony, competing in categories including e-Commerce, Small Business and Emerging Exporter.
There were a record number of applications for the awards, with 105 applications from 48 different companies.
In the year to April 2024, Western Australia exported $255.3 billion of goods, accounting for 47% of Australia’s goods exports.
The winners of each category now advance to the Australian Export Awards to compete for the national title in Canberra in November.
