Beef Australia 2015, held in Rockhampton, Queensland in May, provided a fantastic boost for not only the central Queensland economy but the Australian beef industry, with over 90,000 patrons attending the expo including a record 1100 registered international delegates from more than 30 countries.
Beef Australia 2015 was made possible by the outstanding support of four principal partners – the Australian Federal Government, Queensland State Government, Rockhampton Regional Council and Meat & Livestock Australia – and a large number of private sector sponsors.
Queensland Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne, who is also the Member for Rockhampton, said he was delighted that Beef Australia 2015 had given him the opportunity to sell the benefits of Queensland’s world-class beef to international delegates.
The Queensland Department of State Development (DSD) undertook an Economic Impact Assessment of Beef Australia 2015, the 10th Expo to be held, and the findings confirmed that the 2015 expo was the best ever and provided the Central Queensland region with a much-needed financial boost following cyclone Marcia.
The Economic Impact Assessment’s findings from Beef Australia 2015 included:
- $74M spent by attendees and exhibitors
- $63M spent by new visitors
- $1615 average spend per visitor
- $25M additional regional gross value or 0.4% increase in the gross regional product
- 5.38 average number of nights visitors stayed
- 19.8 - percentage of people who attended the expo from outside Queensland
Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ) once again conducted a business matching program called ‘Handshakes’, and a number of leads are currently being followed up, including potentially $761M in new opportunities with China alone.
In addition nine young next generation leaders are continuing to participate in the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program and nine internationally renowned chefs have returned home singing the praises of Australian beef, the Beef Australia expo and the beautiful Central Queensland region.
Blair Angus, Beef Australia Chairman, congratulated the four Principal Partners – the Australian Federal Government, Queensland State Government, Rockhampton Regional Council, Meat & Livestock Australia – and the private sector sponsors for their outstanding support of Beef Australia 2015.
Queensland has Australia’s largest beef cattle herd and is the nation’s largest producer and exporter of beef. Queensland's beef industry produces nearly half of Australia's beef and employs more than 20,000 people directly and supports more than 8000 jobs in the meat processing industry.
At the farm gate level, beef cattle production is Queensland’s largest agricultural industry. Queensland’s GVP of beef cattle production was estimated to be approximately $3.3 billion in 2011-12.
Planning has already commenced for Beef Australia 2018.
