Bright future for chilled meat exports

• Bunbury-based meat processor becomes first international supplier of chilled sheep and goat meat to China
• V&V Walsh supported by the State Government's WA Open for Business program 

Bunbury-based meat processor V&V Walsh will launch its Amelia Park chilled lamb range in China today, becoming the only international supplier approved to supply chilled sheep and goat meat to the country.

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan welcomed the achievement, which was supported by the State Government's WA Open for Business program, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Meat and Livestock Australia.

V&V Walsh will launch its product range in Shanghai today (June 20) and in Beijing on Friday (June 23).  Its chilled lamb will be available through high-end retail stores and served in leading restaurants and hotels.

The company is also approved to supply chilled beef as well as frozen beef, sheep and goat meat, providing WA with a significant first mover advantage into premium segments of the enormous and growing red meat market in China.

The opening up of new high-value premium lamb markets should provide further confidence to the WA sheep industry and to investors about the future of the industry, as it looks for growth.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"Congratulations to Peter and Greg Walsh on this significant achievement. Chinese consumers can now enjoy the first ever imported chilled lamb from Australia; Western Australian lamb at its very best.

"While China is WA's largest market for sheep meat, our exports largely comprise lower value frozen cuts.  Now Chinese consumers can access a range of branded, premium-grade value-added lamb products.

"Exporting this value-added Western Australian product means more jobs in regional WA and more benefits for our economy.

"V&V Walsh have led the way for WA industry and the WA Government is proud to have been involved."

Minister's office - 6552 6200