BIG beef producer Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) has won the Agribusiness Award at The Premier of Queensland's Export Awards.
The title recognises outstanding export achievement in the field of agricultural products, services or technology and the forestry, fisheries and fibres industries.
Managing director David Farley said AACo was proud to be recognised for significant achievements in growing its exports, both in volume and in new markets.
AACo's export sales climbed to almost $100 million last trading year - a 10pc increase on the previous year, and a seven-fold increase from 2005.
Substantial growth was achieved in its traditional Korean and US markets.
The company's premium grassfed, grainfed and Wagyu beef is exported to 25 countries including China, Japan the UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia and in western Europe.
AACo is the largest beef cattle company in Australia with 19 cattle stations, two feedlots and three farms carrying more than 600,000 head of cattle in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
"Being the global leader in Wagyu beef production has been a key factor in AACo's export success," Mr Farley said.
"Having the supply chain advantage of the Wagyu beef business combined with our marketing and distribution initiatives led to a significant growth in export sales in 2011."
AACo is a leading producer, marketer and exporter of Wagyu beef, sourcing cattle from a 60,000-strong Wagyu supply chain herd.
The company's vertically integrated supply chain and strong financial base enables the business to adapt quickly and allocate resources to produce cattle and beef to customers' specifications and meet the growing global demand for high quality beef.
AACo has implemented world-class leading technology systems which enable the business to track the performance of the Wagyu herd's genetic pool.
Understanding these traits means the business can optimise the herd and produce high quality cattle in order to meet demands of specific targeted export markets.
AACo was also recently awarded the 2012 Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Export Award in the category for large manufacturer exports over $30 million
Founded in 1824, and based in Brisbane, AACo is Australia's oldest and largest agricultural company with properties spread across about 7.2 million hectares.
It exports beef under eight brands - 1824 Premium Beef, Brunette Downs Grass Fed Beef, Darling Downs Wagyu, AACo Black, Greg Norman Signature Wagyu. Kobe Cuisine, Takumi Wagyu and Master Kobe.