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Kilcoy Global Foods builds red meat innovation and learning hub

Kilcoy Global Foods

Queensland beef exporter Kilcoy Global Foods has built Australia’s first red meat innovation and learning hub at Beef Australia 2021 in Rockhampton last week, in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation.

The industry-funded hub will deliver more efficient domestic meat production and product development, including ready-to-eat meals, keeping pace with changing consumer demands in Australia and overseas. 

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said Queensland is a natural choice for the hub, given the state’s position as the leading Australian beef producer. 

“The Queensland beef export industry is Australia’s powerhouse – worth $5.8 billion last year alone,” Furner said. 

“In the past twelve months, across many industries, we have seen how innovative Queenslanders are. And if you are going to create a centre like this, Queensland is the right place. Kilcoy Global Foods is Australia’s largest premium beef processor. With extensive production, marketing, and sales capability. I have full confidence that they are the right company to drive this exciting initiative into the future.” 

Key export markets for Queensland beef in 2020 were: 

  • Japanvalued at $1.6B 
  • Korea$1.1B 
  • China$954M 
  • United States$919M 

The hub, set to open in June, is located at the company’s Sunshine Coast headquarters,” Kilcoy Global Foods CEO Dean Goode said. 

The site enables Kilcoy Global Foods to showcase its products across the whole supply chain. Incorporating a theatre kitchen in the same building as three restaurant concepts and a deboning room on the first floor of an office building has been a challenging project. 

In an Australian first, the hub now provides Kilcoy Global Foods and industry with a facility that allows it to take chefs, retailers and international customers on an immersive food journey. 

The global beef trade was high on the agenda at Beef Australia 2021. Held every three years in Australia’s beef capital, the national beef expo attracts decision-makers from across the industry and around the world to discuss all aspects of the beef supply chain. 

The Queensland government is one of four principal sponsors of the May 2 to May 8 event with Meat and Livestock Australia, Rockhampton Regional Council and the federal government. 

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