V&V Walsh, High Hope and Jinling Hotel representatives at the MOU signing in Nanjing recently.

EXPORTS of high quality Western Australian grain-fed beef, and lamb and mutton, are expected to be boosted under a $40 million trading partnership between WA processor V&V Walsh and the High Hope Group in Nanjing China.

V&V Walsh is a subsidiary of the Craig Mostyn Group and has signed a trading partnership Memorandum of Understanding with the High Hope Group in Nanjing, China, to increase the supply of high quality WA grain-fed cattle, as well as WA lamb and mutton.

V&V Walsh grain-fed beef is central to the new MOU.

Under the MOU, V&V Walsh will supply High Hope with grain-fed (150-200-day) cattle on a regular basis. High Hope is taking every single cut from the carcases processed at V&V Walsh. V. & V. Walsh will use its relationship to work with Jinling Hotel chefs to develop lamb and mutton dishes to add additional exports.

The MOU signed between V&V Walsh and the High Hope Fresh Food division of Jiangsu SOHO Holdings Group Co. Ltd provides V&V Walsh with access to High Hope’s major cold store and logistics network, as well as the group’s five star Jinling Hotel Chain.

The Jinling Hotel chain consists of 118 luxury hotels and resorts all over China which includes the Jinling Hotel Asia Pacific Tower, the largest luxury hotel complex in China’s Jiangsu province.

V&V Walsh general manager Brent Dancer signed the MOU with High Hope in China and said the signing ceremony was the culmination of a developing relationship with High Hope.

“High Hope has extensive business interests throughout China, and in particular the Jiangsu Province, and they are extremely committed to making our partnership work.

The High Hope team undertook significant testing of our products before committing to the MOU, so I have every confidence that the MOU will provide a large boost for premium WA beef, and new opportunities for our mutton and lamb,” Mr Dancer said.

A gala dinner was held in conjunction with the signing presentation. It was attended by more than 120 people, including key chefs and managers from the JinLing Hotel chain as well as key dignitaries from within industry. Under the watchful eye of Jinling Pacific Towers’ world class chefs, the gala dinner showcased the very best of Australian fresh produce including V&V Walsh’s beef and lamb, as well as Australian abalone, fish and tiger prawns.

Purebred Angus steers are already on feed at two WA feedlots for the first consignments. Mr Dancer said the regular forward looking orders would enable V&V Walsh’s feedlot suppliers to plan their feed programs with confidence.