The north west region should capitalise on its chilled beef trade in China which local producers believe has big export potential.
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The sentiments follow a successful trade mission to China by Gunnedah and district-based industry and council representatives.
Sam Plevy from Purtle and Plevey Agencies said Gunnedah would be wise to double-down on its “clean, green image”.
“The potential for chilled beef is huge,” Mr Plevy said.
“There’s just so many consumers hungry for it. It’s definitely the big thing at the moment.”
Ideally, local traders are seeking investment for the restablishment of an abattoir in the region.
Boosting Gunnedah’s beef potential in the country was its location below the infamous “bluetongue line”. The notional line runs through the centre of Australia and denotes areas free from the virus of the same name. Parts of China will only accept live cattle below this line.
“It enhances our prospects,” he said.
Also part of the delegation was Boggabri cotton and grain grower Andrew Watson.
He travelled with a community-focused approach seeking betterment of local communities.
“I want make sure there are jobs and a future for agriculture so we’re not reliant on mining,” he said.
“Being able to access Chinese markets for value-added products is the key.
“I think we struck the right message.”
Also in his sights was an ethanol plant given the “abundant supply of feedstock and market for ethanol and the alcohol produced”.
But Chinese investors could take some convincing.
“There wasn’t an immediate reaction,” he said.
“The energy sector was less discussed than the food sector.”
Lively Linseed owner Jacqui Donoghue knew the Chinese market well having secured a number of Chinese connections already for her Mullaley-based business which distributes premium food products.
“In the last couple of days we signed two new businesses [in China],” Ms Donoghue said.
Having already tapped into the Chinese market, Ms Donoghue said linking government and trade was the key to China.
“The thing with China is association with government is always advantageous,” she said.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey led the visiting delegation and said the region’s investment potential in agribusiness sector was “huge” and was keen to further develop the relationship.
