Zhao Qingfang from Lingfeng Butcher, and Philip Fan, Ausvidge Consulting, with Stanbroke Beef plant manager Jim Friis on the Stanbroke stand during Beef 2018

Beef Australia is calling for stakeholders across the nation’s beef community to register for its 2024 Handshakes Program, designed to connect local stakeholders with like-minded domestic and international delegates and promote the Australian beef industry to the world.

The Handshakes Program, one of the industry’s exclusive business matching programs, provides valuable opportunities for Australia’s beef industry to establish global partnerships and gain valuable insights into international markets for Australian beef, livestock, genetics and other exports.

Beef Australia is the nation’s largest beef industry event, taking place every three years in Rockhampton, Queensland. It takes place this year from May 6-12. The event has a rich history spanning 30 years and attracts attendees from across Australia and around the globe.

Beef 2024 aims to showcase innovation, promote trade, foster industry collaboration, and celebrate the achievements of the Australian beef industry.

Beef Australia chief executive Simon Irwin said it was great to see significant interest in the 2024 business-to-business program after returning for the first time since 2018. COVID restrictions in 2021 meant there was little opportunity for overseas engagement.

More than 1200 international delegates from 43 different countries attended the event in 2018, including contingents from China, Indonesia, South America, New Caledonia and New Zealand, with sizable delegations also from Canada, US, and Australia’s Asian and Pacific neighbours.

“As part of the overarching International Program, the Handshakes Program enables domestic participants to not only meet with other Australian participants, but also engage in face-to-face business matching meetings with global delegates, establishing new business partnerships, and gaining valuable insights into international markets they may be able to tap into,” Mr Irwin said.

“I encourage all Australian beef industry stakeholders with an interest in the global marketplace to register for the 2024 Handshakes Program, to gain valuable knowledge of the beef industry on a global scale.”

Federal agriculture minister Murray Watt said opportunities to collaborate through the Handshakes program would help to secure a profitable, productive and sustainable beef industry for years to come.

“There’s exciting trade opportunities are happening at the moment, with Australia’s network of Free Trade Agreements already delivering new and valuable market access for our red meat industry,” he said.

“Under the UK-FTA, beef exports increased nearly four-fold from $4.2 million to $16.6 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to the same quarter in 2022 when an FTA was not in place.

“2024 will also see beef tariffs eliminated for exports to the US and China, and drop in Korea, Japan and Canada, further increasing Australia’s competitiveness in these growing markets,” Mr Watt said.

QLEA president Greg Pankhurst

Beef Australia’s International Committee Chair Greg Pankhurst said one of the benefits of being part of the 2024 Handshakes Program was having the opportunity to receive pitch readiness training.

“In 2024, participants will be given the opportunity to receive complimentary online pitch readiness training by Trade and Investment Queensland, giving them the best possible chance of securing funding, sourcing new clients and building strong business relationships,” Mr Pankhurst said.

“Not only will they gain valuable partnerships with the global beef industry, they will also receive the tools required to successfully build their business.

“The Handshakes Program is all about building a stronger, more sustainable future for beef production and consumption by connecting with our international beef community and understanding what’s important to them.”

Justin Slaughter

Livestock and boxed beef exporter Justin Slaughter, chief executive of AgTrade, participated in Beef Australia’s 2018 Handshakes Program and said the program provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with members of the international beef community, within the social atmosphere of Beef Australia.

“Through it, we’ve been able to connect with people we might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet, and gain valuable insights on international markets as well as make those valued business connections.”

Queensland agriculture minister Mark Furner said the program was a critical part of Beef 2024 for Queensland industry.

“Beef 2024 is an unmissable opportunity to put Queensland beef on show to the world, and our beef stacks up against the world’s best,” Mr Furner said.

“This program connecting our producers to a worldwide network means stronger business relationships, export opportunities and a bigger industry supporting more good jobs for Queenslanders.”

• Registrations for Beef Australia’s 2024 Handshakes Program close at 5pm on Friday 29 February. Click here to find out more and to register.