First chilled meat lands in China
The first export consignments of chilled meat airfreighted to China spell good news for farmers, Greenlea meat processor managing director Tony Egan says.
In a trial move, New Zealand exporters and Chinese importers are assessing market acceptance of chilled meat for six months before larger scale exports take place. Chilled meat was airfreighted last Friday. Until now frozen meat only has been sent to China, which has built up to a trade worth $1.14 billion for the year ending March.
‘‘The better prices we get for chilled meat will be good for farmers as well as good for New Zealand in terms of growing trade with China,’’ Egan said.
The average value for all chilled lamb exports is $11.70 per kilogram versus $6.10 for frozen, while chilled beef is worth $12.46/kg compared with $6.45 for frozen.
The beef processed at Greenlea is destined for supermarkets around Shanghai. There is a range of cuts being exported, the first by airfreight and soon to be followed by a large container. Greenlea and Alliance Group - two of 10 processors chosen to take part in the trial shipments - were the first cabs off the rank.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said the trial marked a significant step towards enabling permanent access for New Zealand chilled meat to China.
‘‘Chilled meat is a premium, high value and high growth product so this is great news for farmers, producers and the wider red meat industry. It’s also welcome news for Chinese consumers. This is the kind of product that will end up in highend retail stores and white table cloth restaurants,’’ Guy said.
Since 2012 the number of flights a week Chinese airlines offer has risen from seven to 59.
Egan said the likely buyers of the meat were keen on food safety, and the ability to trace the meat to its source.
Invercargill-based Alliance Group delivered French racks to Shanghai for a high-end consumer in the retail and food service sectors. Chief executive David Surveyor said in May the company took part in a five-day New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) China immersion programme alongside its Chinese partner Grand Farm. ’’The visit enabled Alliance to gain a greater in-depth understanding about Chinese consumers and food service sectors.’’
Last year, Alliance sent a new range of market-ready retail packs to the country. The lamb products, co-branded with Grand Farm, are now available in China’s retail and food service sectors. Australia has a headstart on New Zealand in the chilled meat trade.