Is the Australian live export sector competitive? Profoundly so, according to market analyst Peter Barnard, who spoke at last week’s LIVEXchange conference in Darwin. One positive indicator: Australia has been live exporting since 1829. Longevity suggests that the industry is doing something right. Another indicator: despite Australia’s high-cost environment, Australian cow-calf operations have some of the lowest costs in the world. Australian meat is given peerless access to markets around …

In Darwin last week, Peter Barnard softened up the live export industry with honeyed words about its competitiveness – but then socked home the message that its market is built on uncertain ground. “One of the things I’m worried about is the enormous hype that now exists over agriculture generally, and Australian agriculture in particular,” Dr Barnard told the LIVEXchange conference. There is a prevailing belief, the veteran meat industry …

Last night’s black tie gala dinner bringing to a close the 2015 AMIC meat industry conference on the Gold Coast saw processing sector stakeholders rise to applaud a group of industry high achievers. Five separate industry awards were presented on the night, honouring long-standing and sustained commitment to the processing sector; promising youngsters coming through the ranks; and a new award for females making a big impression in the processing …

Just one of the benefits a united front can deliver The Australia Fresh pavilion enjoyed one of its most successful years yet at Asia Fruit Logistica. Held at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Center on 2-4 September, Asia’s premier fruit and vegetable trade fair is the place to meet importers, senior buyers and executives from leading food retailers in Asia and discuss business. With an increasing focus on Asian markets the fair …