SW beef stake may rise in China

A group of Chinese delegates were in the South West on Tuesday to visit cattle farmers and explore export opportunities.

The group included 22 people from five businesses from the Hainan and Zhejiang provinces.

Department of Agriculture and Food beef supply chain development manager Matt Ryan said the visit came after the State Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zhejiang provincial government in 2013.

"Over the past three years, the demand for beef imports in China has risen considerably and they are very keen to import both boxed beef and live cattle," Mr Ryan said.

He said the delegation visited cattle farmers, V&V Walsh's Bunbury abattoir and the Department of Agriculture and Food's Bunbury office.

"I think the scale of operations surprised them and they are very excited about the infrastructure here," Mr Ryan said.

"They get a great benefit from seeing the scale of operations here.

"They certainly commented on the clear skies and the environment around so that's another bonus for them."

Mr Ryan hoped the visit would lead to more export opportunities for South West farmers.

"We hope there will be some development of both boxed beef and live export opportunities for the WA beef industry, both in the north and the south of the State," he said.

The Department of Agriculture and Food valued total WA beef exports in 2015 at $183.6 million, with boxed beef exports to China growing steadily from a small base to $14.9 million in 2014-15.

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief executive officer Ray Philp said the China market was becoming an increasingly important destination for ex- ports for Greater Bunbury businesses.

"From an agribusiness point of view, there is huge potential and by inviting these delegates, it's an opportunity to build relationships," he said.