Keen Interest in Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb at Hong Kong Event

Buyers have been taking a keen interest in Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI in Hong Kong this week at Hofex (May 6th – May 9th), Asia’s leading food and hospitality trade show.

According to Quality Meat Scotland, which has a strong presence at the event, the key attributes which meat buyers have been looking for include natural and extensive production methods, with grass-fed diets also viewed as important.

At present there are three Scottish meat companies exporting to Hong Kong, with the Asia market representing less than one percent of total fresh meat exports from Scotland.

Simon Dowling, Scotbeef Director, who is at Hofex this week said: "We have had a lot of interest for beef and lamb from various importers from this region including Singapore, mainland China and the Philippines.

“These markets will help us to have an ever better carcass balance and Scotbeef is here to build its trade network and relationships in these expanding markets."

During the event in 2015 – Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink – QMS has been driving home the message about the natural production methods, high welfare and world-leading quality assurance which underpin the Scotch brands.

As well as manning a stand in the Prime Meat Hall, QMS also has a presence at Scotland Food & Drink’s Scottish Pavilion where a chef is serving samples of top quality produce for potential buyers to savour.

Master butcher Viv Harvey is at the event displaying his butchery skills using top quality Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb in a large demonstration theatre at the event.

“There has been very keen interest here in Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb and numerous contacts have been made to develop sales of our beef and lamb in the area,” Mr Vernet said.

The particular focus at the moment is developing the customer-base in the food service and deli-retailer sectors in Hong Kong and while the volumes of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb being sold at the moment are small, there is real potential for growth.

“One of the great benefits of developing the potential of this market in the coming years will be that it will allow Scotland to be less dependent on the UK and European market and closer to several major markets which offer huge growth potential  - such as China, South Korea and Japan,” said Mr Vernet.