WESTERN Australian livestock processor V&V Walsh has signed a $40 million trading partnership memorandum of understanding with China’s High Hope Group to increase the supply of high quality WA grainfed beef as well as WA lamb and mutton.

The MOU signed with the High Hope Fresh Food division of Jiangsu provides V&V Walsh with access to High Hope’s major cold storage and logistics network, as well as a key end-user in the Group’s five-star Jinling Hotel chain.

The Jinling Hotel chain consists of 118 luxury hotels and resorts all over China, including the Jinling Hotel Asia Pacific Tower, the largest luxury hotel complex in China’s Jiangsu province.

Under the MOU, V&V Walsh will supply High Hope with 150-200-day grainfed beef on a regular basis. Angus steers are already on feed at two large WA feedlots for the first consignments under the new program. In addition, V&V Walsh will use its relationship to work with Jinling Hotel chefs to develop lamb and mutton dishes to add additional exports.

V&V Walsh general manager Brent Dancer, who signed the MOU with High Hope in China, said the ceremony was the culmination of a developing relationship with High Hope.

“High Hope has extensive business interests throughout China, and in particular the Jiangsu Province, and the company is extremely committed to making our partnership work,” he said.

“The High Hope team undertook significant testing of our products before committing to the MOU so I have every confidence that the agreement will provide a large boost for premium WA beef, and new opportunities for our mutton and lamb,” Mr Dancer said.

A gala dinner attended by more than 120 people including key chefs and managers from the JinLing Hotel chain as well as dignitaries from within industry was held in conjunction with the signing presentation in China.

Under the eye of Jinling Pacific Towers’ world class chefs, the dinner showcased the best of Australian fresh produce including V&V Walsh’s beef and lamb, as well as Australian abalone, fish and tiger prawns provided through V&V Walsh’s parent company, Craig Mostyn.

Mr Dancer said the regular forward0looking orders would enable V&V Walsh’s feedlot suppliers to plan their feed programs with confidence.

Importantly, High Hope is taking every single cut from the carcases processed at V&V Walsh.

Source: Craig Mostyn