A group of leading chefs, restaurateurs and butchers from Japan have landed in Victoria in search of new opportunities to import Victoria’s quality lamb produce.
The delegation has been invited as part of the ‘Lambassador Program’, an initiative funded by the Andrews Labor
Government and Meat Livestock Australia, to boost Japanese interest towards importing Victoria’s top quality
lamb.
The program focuses on the food service sector, and will showcase how Victorian lamb can be utilised to suit the
Japanese palate and satisfy increasing consumer demand at high-end Japanese restaurants.
Over the next week, the delegation will be guided on a tour of Victoria’s prime lamb industry where they will have
the opportunity to meet with lamb producers, processors and food service representatives to improve their
knowledge and understanding of Victoria’s lamb industry, in a bid to increase lamb exports to Japan.
Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, will tonight welcome Japanese ‘Lambassador’ delegates and representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia with a Victorian lamb themed dinner.
Japan is a significant export market for Victorian lamb, with sheep meat exports in 2013-14 valued at $25 million.
Victoria is the leading state in Australia for the production and export of premium quality, safe lamb products,
contributing over 40 per cent to national production.
Ms Pulford said the ‘Lambassador Program’ was another example of the Andrews Labor Government’s support for inbound trade
missions, showcasing our high quality, safe and reliable produce to international markets.
“Tokyo has more Michelin Star restaurants than any other city in the world, and Victorian lamb is perfectly suited to feature on the menu of high-end restaurants,” she said.
“We will support and maximise trade opportunities and commercial partnerships, including for Victorian lamb
producers exporting to Japan, to drive growth and jobs.”
