Austrade media release
7 Feb 2007
Australia beefs up meat sales to RussiaRussians are enjoying Aussie meat on their barbies (colloquially known as a ‘shaslik’) in unprecedented numbers, according to the latest statistics showing that Russia was almost as big an export market as the entire European Union (EU) last year – with a 14-fold increase in beef and a three-fold rise in lamb and mutton sales.
Austrade’s Moscow-based Senior Trade Commissioner Dan Tebbutt was optimistic that the phenomenal increase in 2005-6 can be parlayed into long-term success.
“There has been strong growth in the Russian restaurant, hospitality and catering sector and Russians' disposable incomes are currently increasing by 18% per annum,” Mr Tebbutt said.
“Last year Australia enjoyed good competitive conditions in Russia, with the US absent from the market and limited beef supplies from the EU and South America. This ensured strong demand for Australia's high-quality product.
“Australian meat exporters have an opportunity to sustain a substantial amount of this success even when competitors re-enter the market. We are planning to make the most of our presence next week at Russia’s largest and most important food industry event, the annual Prodexpo show. Last year there were just two exhibitors and this year we have seven exporters coming to Moscow.
“Australia has a reputation for providing a high-quality product and there is a growing awareness in Russia of the importance of environmental purity and clean production.
Australia is recognised as a world leader in this regard."
The Executive Chef at Moscow's five-star Swissotel, Kim Gates, says he sources Australian beef for all the hotel's restaurants and banqueting menus.
“I use Australian beef because of the consistently high quality of the product, reasonable prices and its reputation for a natural, disease-free origin,” Mr Gates said.
“Currently we have a high demand for Angus beef and marbled beef. The wealthy Russian community wants to buy only the best! Grass-fed tenderloin has the sweetest flavour and grain-fed strip loin and rib-eye the best texture. Marbled beef is also highly regarded in Russia."
Mr Tebbutt added that in addition to the foodservice sector, Australian beef enjoys a strong position in Russian supermarkets, where it is available to everybody who can afford it.
“The shaslik - the Russian version of the good old Aussie barbeque - is extremely popular in Russia and Australian beef is particularly great cooked over a charcoal fire while sitting in the countryside,” he said.
“Many Moscovites leave the city on the weekends to relax and cook shaslik – even amid the snows of winter.”
ENDS
Media contact
Samantha Mattila
Tel: +61 2 9390 2388
Mobile: +61 434 567 673
samantha.mattila@austrade.gov.au
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