Following a record year of beef exports to Korea in 2016, Australia is looking to defend its position amidst contracting supply and competition from the US.
Beef processed outside of Australia but marketed as ‘Australian’ could be made illegal if MPs get their way, with a fine of more than US$1 million (m) being proposed.
Faced with a shortage of local beef supplies, a Chinese beef processor and importer has spent almost $3 million setting up Chinese online stores, which are portraying Australian beef as a healthy premium product.
The Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) has said that "significant flow-through opportunities" exist for Australian beef producers following the signing of a China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) today (17 November).
The new Japan-Australia Partnership Agreement (JAEPA), agreed on 8 April, allows unprecedented access to Japanese markets, but it is not necessarily only the Australian meat producers who will profit.
