IN this short international marketing update video, Meat & Livestock Australia’s Japan region business manager Andrew Cox provides a wrap-up of the recent Aussie Beef and Lamb Trade Show in Tokyo, and discusses the importance of the Japanese market to Australian producers.

About 600 Japanese trade representatives from across the retail and food service sectors attended the event, allowing 15 Australian exporters to showcase their beef and lamb products to the Japanese market, including buyers such as McDonald’s, which is the single biggest importer of Australian beef by volume in Japan.

MLA executive chef Sam Burke showcased a range of cooking techniques for Japanese and western style presentations during the event.

JBS Great Southern beef brand program supplier Gordon Glenn was also in attendance at the trade show, learning first-hand about Australia’s beef trade with Japan.  He saw it as an ideal opportunity to find out more about what the Japanese market is looking for in red meat supply.

MLA has six International Business Managers (IBMs) based in key export destinations – each charged with promoting the superior safety and quality systems of Aussie red meat in order to gain better market access and grow demand. Each contributes an occasional video report for this series.