BEEF exporter JBS Australia has delivered its first beef consignments into the United Kingdom under the recently enacted Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement.

The milestone continues JBS Australia’s longstanding commitment to the UK market where the company has been a consistent supplier of premium beef products for more than 30 years.

JBS Global Office (UK) commercial director Andrew Stewart with a carton of JBS Aberdeen Black freshly arrived in the UK this week

The new bilateral trading agreement which came into effect on 1 June allow an increased tariff-free beef quota volume of 35,000 tonnes of Australian beef initially for the remainder of the 2023 year, with volume increase allowances due over the coming nine years.

JBS’s first post-FTA consignment included an assortment of JBS Aberdeen Black beef products including hindquarter and loin cuts. JBS has a scheduled weekly program of shipping beef to the UK to ensure consistency, reliability, and quality of supply.

JBS Australia chief executive Brent Eastwood said the A-UK FTA represented an opportunity for the company and Australia to continue strengthening its ties to the UK as a top beef supplier.

“We’re delighted to continue serving our high-quality Australian beef to our UK customers, following years of investment and consistent exports to this valued market,” Mr Eastwood said.

In a statement, JBS said it was well-placed to meet the rising demand for prime cuts and a variety of premium beef products, with the new trade agreement allowing it to provide even more Australian produce for consumers.

“We look forward to increasing trading opportunities underpinned by the free trade agreement and further strengthening our ties with our partners and customers in the UK,” Mr Eastwood said.

Federal agriculture minister Murray Watt said the UK Free Trade Agreement was one of the most comprehensive and ambitious FTAs Australia has signed with any trading partner—and will provide a foundation for greater profits for Australian producers.

“It’s exciting to see local industry start to benefit from this work. During my trade mission to the UK it was clear UK businesses are eager to import more Aussie product and consumers want to buy high quality Australian beef. I congratulate JBS on their first consignment, and for embracing this opportunity so enthusiastically.”

JBS Global (UK) managing director Nick Sherwood said his company had continually invested in the UK market and navigated market access challenges to ensure a continual supply of premium proteins to its strong customer base.

“As a significant supplier of Australian beef to the UK market, we were delighted to have one of the first consignments entered under the new FTA agreement,” Mr Sherwood said.

“This is a significant milestone for the Australian industry and will strengthen the links between UK and Australia, where our shared values in producing sustainable, high quality agricultural products is at the heart of the agreement. We always receive positive feedback from clients, crediting the Australian producers for producing fine meat with super eating quality and consistency.”

“Our clients recognise the passion and dedication within the Australian supply chain, from producers to the packers, everything is about ensuring the best quality meat is in the box,” Mr Sherwood said.

JBS Northern’s beef brand Aberdeen Black cattle are sourced from the Riverina region, which is renowned for its quality livestock production in the beef heartland of Australia. Eligible cattle are HGP-free, pasture reared and finished on a high-quality grain diet.

• See today’s separate item on Hancock Agriculture and S.Kidman’s launch yesterday into the UK beef market.

Source: JBS