Founded in 1997, Tasmanian Quality Meats is a food processing plant based in Northern Tasmania – the heart of the state’s lamb-growing region.
The company processes and exports fresh and frozen lamb, mutton, veal and offal to markets in the Middle East and South East Asia, to clients that recognise and appreciate Tasmania’s clean environment.
Exports now account for 88 per cent of sales, totalling more than $37 million in 2014–15. Tasmanian Quality Meats’ future plans include entering new markets in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau and Mexico. Its export success has seen Tasmanian Quality Meats grow from three people in 1997 to more than 100 employees in 2015.
The company’s investment in infrastructure, and a commitment to innovation, research and consultation, have all played a part in its success. For example, Tasmanian Quality Meats responded to market demand for lighter-weight lambs and its export lambs are now bred to weigh five kilograms less than those processed for the domestic market.
To meet the requirements of customers in Egypt and Indonesia, the company increased the capacity of its freezing and chilling facility to enable its products to be processed, chilled and packed at the one facility. These infrastructure investments have opened up export market opportunities to other parts of the world.
This is the second time Tasmanian Quality Meats has won the Regional Exporter Award, having previously received the award in 2013.
Judges were particularly impressed with the company’s commitment to customising products for specific export markets, citing its successful expansion in the Middle East. They also noted Tasmanian Quality Meats’ effective marketing of Tasmania’s clean environment and reputation for biosecurity to extend its competitive advantage.
To learn more about Tasmanian Quality Meats and its success, read the
case study.