Royal Welsh: HCC project to extend shelf life of Welsh lamb
A project to extend the shelf life of Welsh lamb has been launched to meet growing demand and expand export opportunities.
Wales’ red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru unveiled the project on the opening day of the Royal Welsh Show (22 July).
It confirmed that demand for quality Welsh lamb was growing, but said ways needed to be found to capitalise on the demand.
HCC chairman Dai Davies said: “I believe we are at the dawn of an exciting new era for Welsh red meat.”
“Consumers across the world are increasingly looking for quality products, and that explains why Welsh lamb is in so much demand in places as far apart as Canada, Europe, the Far and Middle East.
“Now with greater prosperity among consumers in emerging markets such as Russia and the Far East, the demand for quality products is springing up all over the world. As an industry, we in Wales must find a solution to capitalise on this demand.”
Exports facts
- Total exports of Welsh lamb in 2003 – 22,770t
- Total exports of Welsh lamb in 2011 -34,500t
- Increase in exports between 2003 and 2011 – 52%
- Value of sheepmeat exports from Wales in 2011 – £133m
Source: HCC
Mr Davies said as export volumes rose, so did questions about transportation. “The most efficient way to transport large amounts of Welsh lamb is by ship, which means that extended shelf life plays a vital role for long-haul destinations.”
HCC chief executive Gwyn Howells said the project was about identifying steps along the whole supply chain – from farm through to the supermarket shelf – that would help reduce spoilage.
One of the critical things would be working with farmers to ensure that stock were presented as cleanly as possible, with bellies clipped out if dirty, he said.
The project would also look at how animals and carcasses were handled further down the processing chain.
“This will be a refinement of the system we have in place now, to eke out other efficiencies to give us an edge in the market place.”
Other countries in the sights of HCC as a potential export market for Welsh meat include China and the United States.
Demand for Welsh product in Scandinavia is also taking off – HCC has just announced it is seeking a permanent representative based in the region to push Welsh lamb and beef in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
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