Australian red-meat importers see potential in Thailand'Easier access after AFTA'

Amir Gan Abdullah, who represents Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, said once the Asean free-trade system goes into effect, Australian beef and livestock importers will find it easier to tap potential markets in the region.

Under the free-trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and Australia, the annual quota of Australian beef imported into Thailand has been rising gradually every year. The quota was set at 990 tonnes last year and rose to 1,050 tonnes this year.

Abdullah said Thailand's food-service business and retail sector had grown very quickly, along with the boom of the local tourism market. About 40 per cent of the total imported beef goes into the country's manufacturing sector, while the remainder is divided between retail, food service and catering.

MLA, owned and funded by Australian cattle, sheep and goat farmers, has the simple purpose of assisting trade and stimulating demand for beef and lamb across the world. "We are in the food business. Food security and safety policy is becoming very important factors for governments around the world to consider, particularly in the emerging economies of Asia and the Middle East. Australian cattle and sheep farmers are proud to be leading producers of beef and sheep protein for global consumers," Abdullah said.

He added that MLA believes the food-service industry is an important market for red meat, especially since it is growing by leaps and bounds across the globe now that more and more young chefs are putting on their aprons.

"Australia is the leading supplier of high-quality beef and lamb to more than 100 countries, exporting over 60 per cent of our total production," Abdullah explained.

He said Thailand has been a long-standing market for Australia, and continues growing despite out-of-quota tariffs. Last year, it exported more than 1,834 tonnes of beef and 1,556 tonnes of lamb to Thailand. "Australia is very fortunate - we are an island nation with only sea borders. We are free of all major diseases due to our naturally clean environment and the government regulated food-safety systems. Australia, therefore, is very well positioned as a supplier of safe and clean food," Abdullah said.

"We have the highest standards in food safety, integrity and traceability. Australia leads the world in farm-food safety systems with individual animal identification mandated and food-safety declarations required on all animals as they are sold," he added.

Abdullah said that MLA was planning to hold programmes to help consumers, importers and food-service providers, especially young Thai chefs, become more aware of Australian beef and lamb products.