Queensland beef sizzles with Russian chefs

Media Release

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland

The Honourable Tim Mulherin

21/05/2010

Queensland beef sizzles with Russian chefs

21 May 2010

A visit to Queensland by chefs from some of Moscow's most exclusive restaurants has showcased the quality of Australia's beef to entice Russian restaurateurs and consumers.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the visit was an important opportunity to build direct relationships between Queensland suppliers and consumers.

"Bringing the Russian chefs to Queensland was an opportunity for our meat industry to demonstrate Australia's food safety and quality controls," Mr Mulherin said.

"The Russian chefs gained an understanding of our cattle-raising conditions, processing facilities, different cuts of meat and how to prepare them.

"Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) hosted the delegation and collaborated with local meat exporters and Trade Queensland to organise the program including visits to meat processing and packing facilities.

"The chefs were also introduced to Queensland seafood, fruit and vegetables, and visited Queensland's first-class training facilities for commercial cookery, butchery and hospitality."

Mr Mulherin said Australian beef is highly sought after in the high end restaurant sector in Russia.

"Market research by MLA has found a number of chefs in Russia have a preference for Australian beef, rating it higher in its taste attributes compared to US product," he said.

"Our beef also has an outstanding clean and green image among consumers.

"Queensland Chef David Pugh joined Trade Queensland at a dinner held to demonstrate Queensland beef cooked to perfection in a variety of ways.

"Mr Sergey Yushin, Chief Executive of the Russian National Meat Association, and an advocate for Australian beef, also attended.

"The Russian chefs were pleased to be able to talk directly with the Queensland chef and compare and contrast food service trends, as well as input prices for quality beef."

Trade Minister Stephen Robertson said developing direct relationships with members of the Russian food service sector and Russian National Meat Association will help Queensland companies to build on their relationship with Russian importers.

"Importers in Russia are now able to increase their beef import quotas from Australia thanks to new regulations introduced earlier this year by Russian authorities," Mr Robertson said.

"Australia now has access to the multi-country quota for frozen beef into Russia, which has increased significantly to 448 300 tonnes.

"Russia is the second largest beef importing nation in the world behind the US, and is therefore a key export market for Queensland.

"Queensland currently exports more than half of Australia's meat exports to Russia, valued at around $124 million.

"In 2009 our meat shipments to Russia dropped due to the global financial crisis, but 2010 is expected to make a marked recovery.

"While Australia must compete with South America for market access, there are opportunities for Australia's processing and high end beef products in the medium to longer terms."

Trade Queensland will continue to work with MLA and Queensland red meat exporters to develop market access activities and expand its supply-chain contacts in Russia.