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MLA on the ground
MLA presents On the ground, a fortnightly podcast series providing the latest information and insights about Australia's domestic and international red meat markets.
Latest episode
Episode 63 - Aussie Beef Mates NSW 2023
Live from Aussie Beef Mates NSW 2023.
Past episodes
Episode 62 – Lambassador Tour 2023
Live from the MLA Lambassador Tour.
Episode 61 – Sam Gill – Middle East
Middle East market update and a look ahead at what’s driving the red meat in market.
Episode 60 – Valeska – South East Asia Update
South East Asia market update and what’s in store for 2023.
Episode 59 – Scott Walker – Japan Update
Japan market update, Supermarket Trade Show wrap up and what’s in store for 2023.
Episode 58 – Scott Cameron– Insights Update
All the latest insights from the MLA insights team with some exciting new tools to support the red meat trade.
Episode 57 – Scott Walker – Japan Update
Japan covid restrictions have lifted, lets look ahead at what’s driving the red meat in market.
Episode 56 – Doug McNicholl – North America Update
North America Market Update with new MLA Regional Manager Doug McNicholl.
Episode 55 – Joe Zhu – China Update
China’s latest export stats, looking ahead to SIAL and the latest on the region’s Covid restrictions.
Episode 54 - Sam Gill - Middle East Market Update
Sam Gill provides and overview of Gulfood and the MLA activities across the Middle East
Episode 53 - Live From FHA Singapore
Episode 52 - Andrew Cox with Global Updates and Preview on FHA Singapore
Episode 51 – Japan and Korea Market Updates with Scott Walker
Episode 50 – U.S. market update with Doug McNicholl
Episode 49 - Lambassador chefs: The versatility of Australian Lamb
MLA has recently hosted 27 Lambassador chefs from 10 countries to Australia for a week-long immersion of Australian lamb. They are meeting farmers, chefs, butchers and food industry professionals to learn first-hand about the versatility of our product. Hear what they have to say, and their experience with Australian Lamb.
Episode 48 - Mary Johnson: FTA update and insights for exporters to the UK
As we reach the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement in the UK, Josh catches up with Mary Johnson, Market Access Manager in Europe, with the latest insights for exporters.
Episode 47 - South East Market Update with Valeska
Valeska from MLA's South East Asia branch joins Josh from Singapore to walk through some exciting events coming up in the calendar and explains how Malaysia is making an impact in the South East region.
On The Ground Episode 46 - How to leverage insights and information with Scott Cameron
In this episode, MLA's Scott Cameron guides us through how to leverage insights and information to your advantage and also shares some exciting new tools and resources released soon.
On The Ground Episode 45: Joe Zhu in China - China & Australia relations, Covid update and latest export volumes
This week Josh catches up with MLA's Regional Manager of China, Joe Zhu to cover what's happening in the market. From export volumes, to how the year is shaping up with China and Australia relations.
Plus all the latest MLA news with Brett Thomas.
On The Ground Episode 44: Andrew Cox
In this episode, General Manager - International Markets at MLA Andrew Cox gives us his take on 2022 so far, as well as what to expect in a massive year ahead for the industry.
Plus, all the latest MLA News with Amy Drew.
On The Ground Episode 43: Sam Gill & Jad Hedwan, Gulfood 2022 Update
It's been a very exciting time in the Middle East with the first face-to-face Trade Show for 2022.
We catch up with Regional Manager Sam Gill to tell us all about Gulfood, plus we meet Jad Hedwan, new Business Development Manager for the Saudi market.
On The Ground Episode 42: Vietnam & Thailand
Opportunities are aplenty in Vietnam & Thailand. In the first 2 episodes of 2022, Josh catches up with Spencer, Huong and Cat with some exciting news for MLA in the Vietnam and Thailand markets.
On The Ground Episode 41: UK and EU Market Update with Mary Johnson
On The Ground Episode 40: Japan Market Update with Scott Walker & MLA News
On The Ground Episode 39: Damon Holmes & Sam Gill
On The Ground Episode 38: Scott Cameron, MLA‘s Group Industry Insights and Strategy Manager
On The Ground Episode 37: Pat Hutchinson, CEO of AMIC and MLA News with Amy Drew
On The Ground Episode 36: Freight and Logistics Panel Discussion with Anthony Vinson & Tim Ryan
On The Ground Episode 35: China Market Update with Joe Zhu and the latest from Japan with Scott Walker
In this episode we hear the latest updates in food service and retail in the U.S with Business Development Manager for the market, Catherine Golding.
Plus, Sam Gill, Regional Manager in the Middle East gives us the latest from the region.
This week Josh is joined by GM of International Markets, Andrew Cox for a mid-year WIP around MLA markets.
Plus, some exciting news on a new real time data logger is now available to exporters with Long Huynh.
This week get an update on China, now the largest beef importer in the world, from Global Trade Manager Tim Ryan.
Plus, we get the latest on South East Asia and fresh MLA News with Amy Drew.
Josh talks with Andrew McDonald, Chair of the UK Market Access Taskforce to hear the details of this historic free trade agreement.
Also this week, we are a month out from a major event in our largest beef market. We chat with Scott Walker, on the ground in Tokyo to catch the latest.
In the latest On the ground episode, we head over to Korea, a market that continues to perform for Australian beef. It’s also been a while since we’ve heard about the domestic market, so we chat to with MLA’s National Customer Development Manager, Scott Cameron, to get the latest.
In the latest On the ground episode, MLA’s General Manager - International Markets, Andrew Cox discusses the global drivers and strategy in place for Australian product to meet growing international red meat demand. Plus, Rob Williams, MLA’s Regional Manager - North America, provides an update on the US market.
In this week’s On the ground podcast, the team are live at Beef Australia, speaking with industry leaders about the current and future operating environment in global markets.
The first Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework has been released, so this week was a perfect time to catch up with Professor Bruce Allworth, Chair of the Framework Steering Group, on what it means for the sheep industry to address the world's growing interest in sustainable agricultural production, and the opportunities it presents.
We also stop by with our Regional Manager in Dubai, Sam Gill, for the latest on the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) market, and hear all things international red meat news with Amy Drew.
This week, we are joined by Sam and Steph Trethaway of Tas Ag Co, new players in the branded beef market, to discuss their regeneratively farmed Wagyu beef range and how they've positioned their sustainable brand as a solution to climate change.
We also catch up with MLA's Country Manager - Greater China, Joe Zhu, to discuss how the market is tracking in 2021.
This week, MLA's Manager - Global Trade Development, Tim Ryan, stops by to analyse the latest global export figures of key competitors, and to discuss what the major trade drivers to look for in 2021 are.
We also stop by in London to speak with Market Access Manager - Europe, Mary Johnson, to chat about our future opportunities with Europe and the Brits now that Brexit is in the rear view.
This week, hear from MLA's Regional Manager - South-East Asia, Ellen Young, on why exporters are increasingly showing interest in the region to capture business opportunities. Special guest Sam Lind from food forensics company Oritain also joins the podcast to discuss new technology being developed to help fight product fraud.
In this episode, Jason Strong, MLA’s Managing director, provides an overview of MLA priorities in 2021 as well as discusses the recent article Red meat, green facts - embracing the emissions challenge. Scott Walker, MLA’s Regional Manager Japan will provide the latest evaluation of lockdown impacts on our largest beef market.
In the first episode of 2021, we begin with MLA's General Manager – International Markets, Andrew Cox, who discusses his thoughts and insights into what he believes will be the key trade drivers this year. We also catch up with favourite to the show, MLA's Manager – Global Trade Development, Tim Ryan, who runs us through how the trade figures for 2020 finished up. Plus hear all the latest international news from Amy Drew.
In this final episode for 2020, Jason Strong, Managing Director of MLA and Andrew Cox, General Manager of MLA's International Markets, join Josh Anderson to reflect on what has been a remarkable year.
Episode 20: Global trade with Tim Ryan and Korea market updates
In this episode, we cross to MLA's Country Manager – Korea, Charlie Ko, to hear the latest on Australian beef imports and marketing activities in the region.
We also talk with Manager – Global Trade Development, Tim Ryan, for his observations on the current world trade situation.
Episode 19: Red meat opportunities in South Asia and the Middle East
Over the next few weeks, MLA will be hosting a number of Virtual Trade Seminars targeted at unlocking insights and opportunities across our red meat markets. So, this week we will be talking opportunities with the South Asia and the Middle East teams ahead of their trade events.
Featured in this episode: Nick Merea and Valeska.
The Australian red meat industry is prioritising new market access activities to take advantage of opportunities in the EU and UK thanks to Free Trade Agreements. On the podcast this week, hear from two highly influential European representatives about how they view these activities and the opportunities presented. MLA's Joe Zhu also stops by to give a run down on what's been happening on the ground in China.
Featured in this episode: Joe Zhu, Andreas Schneider and George Lyon.
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Andreas Schneider Policy Advisor Cabinet of EU Agriculture Commissioner |
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George Lyon Senior Consultant Hume Brophy |
MLA has recently released a suite of new export statistics and insights from key global markets. In episode 17, MLA's General Manager – International Markets, Andrew Cox, discusses this new data and explores what else has been happening around the globe.
MLA's Domestic Market Customer Development Manager, Scott Cameron, also joins the podcast to give a rundown on the latest across Australian markets.
Related resources:
This week, the issue of product integrity has been subject to a large amount of attention by the red meat industry. We catch up with Lachie Hart, CEO of Stockyard Beef, to talk about international customer requirements and how a pilot program underway is assisting capture their proven ancestry. Also a Podcast favourite Scott Walker, MLA’s Regional Manager in Japan stops by to provide a rundown of the latest consumer campaign.
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Lachie Hart CEO, Stockyard Beef |
This week, Tim Ryan provides a trade and access update, with the latest impacts of the discovery of African Swine Fever in Germany and implications on the global protein market. Rob Williams will provide an update from the US where the cases of Covid-19 are on the rise in some states and a major lamb plant closure causing concerns for domestic production.
In this Episode, MLA’s Regional Manager Scott Walker discusses the latest on the ground market evaluation of Korea. Autumn traditionally sees the launch of the Australian beef consumer campaign in Korea, we will hear how the plans this year have shifted due to the impacts of Covid.
We are also joined by Mary Johnson MLA’s Market Access manager in Europe provides the latest update from Europe with what Brexit has in store for the Australian red meat industry.
In this episode, Joe Zhu, MLA Country Manager in China provides the latest evaluation of the Covid-19 impacts and factors influencing the beef and sheepmeat trade. The Middle East beef trade is showing positive signs of recovery, MLA’s Regional Manager Nick Meara will provide the latest evaluation. Also, check-in with Amy Drew for the latest global red meat industry news.
In episode 12 Amy Drew provides a full update on the July export figures. Adam Cheetham joins us to look at last week’s forecasts from MLA cattle industry projections. We discuss the ever-changing retail and foodservice landscape in Australia with Scott Cameron, including the Covid-19 impacts and trends in the domestic red meat market. Indonesia is our global market in focus this week with the latest intelligence from Valeska and our team on the ground.
In episode 11 we cross to Japan, a consistently high performing destination for Australian beef. Hear the latest market trends and drivers from MLA’s Scott Walker on the ground in Tokyo. Andrew McDonald, chair of the UK & EU red meat market access taskforce, stops by to provide the latest developments on the Australia - United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement as the first round of negotiations conclude.
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Andrew McDonald Chair, UK & EU red meat market access taskforce |
In this episode, we take a detailed look at the US as production recovers to pre Covid-19 levels. We also have the latest intelligence from China and news from around the globe.
Featured in this episode: Joe Zhu, Rob Williams and Tim Ryan.
In episode 9, we catch up on the latest news from around the globe with insights from China, US, Korea, Japan and the UK.
Communicating sustainability on the global stage is the theme of this week’s podcast. James Carson, talks us through the North Australian Pastoral Company’s establishment of the Five Founders carbon neutral branded beef. We also hear from Australian expat Amy Bell, the co-founder of The Meat Club Singapore, an online meat sales company leveraging the strong sustainability story of Australian beef and lamb to grow her business.
Lastly, Majella Fernando provides a quick rundown on the CoMarketing support available for companies who undertake brand marketing activities.
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Amy Bell Co-founder, The Meat Club, Singapore The Meat Club |
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James Carson General Manager - Sales and Customer, NAPco Five Founders |
In episode 8, along with the latest news from around the globe, we evaluate the importance of a strong brand strategy as we enter a global economic recession. An expert panel consisting of brand guru Adam Ferrier, Andrew Cox and Scott Walker share some powerful insights and advice on how to strengthening branding of Australian red meat in international markets.
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Adam Ferrier Consumer psychologist and founder Thinkerbell agency |
In episode 7, we evaluate the latest export statistics for May for beef and sheepmeat exports. We discuss the Australian domestic retail market and evaluate what impact the recession will have on purchasing habits.
To find out how Covid-19 has impacted on our trade with Saudi Arabia, we wiĺl cross to Meat & Livestock Australia's Middle East office for the latest evaluation.
Featured in this episode; Tim Ryan, Scott Cameron and Nick Meara.
In episode 6, we take a close look at cattle and sheep supply data in Australia as the pricing indicators and sheep industry projections are released. We talk about Europe's Farm to Fork sustainability strategy as well as hear the latest on Brexit. We also look at Vietnam, a country with growth potential for Australian red meat.
Featured in this episode: Mary Johnson, Michael Patching and Adam Cheetham.
In episode 5, Jason Strong MLA's Managing Director discusses how the Australian red meat industry is positioned to capture future opportunities.
Scott Tolmie, Market Intelligence Manager evaluates the global foodservice recovery. Singapore, despite challenges, is showing strong demand for Australian beef and lamb, we hear the latest from Regional Manager Ellen Young and we check in with Country Manager Charlie Ko in Korea.
In episode 4, hear the latest analysis of MLA’s trade statistics which show the total value of red meat exports for Q1 2020 were up 20% on 2019. Also, with the Australian red meat industry leading the charge on shelf life and food safety, hear about recent developments and programs in this crucial area.
Finally, hear the latest from the US – which has seen a sharp contraction in production as well as the launch of an investigation into cattle markets, and we check-in with Japan, the number one destination for Australian beef in April.
Featured in this episode: Andrew Cox, Ian Jenson, Rob Williams and Scott Walker.
In episode 3, hear a discussion on MLA’s latest COVID-19 economic research and the subsequent impact on Australia’s red meat exports. The team also discuss a massive month for beef exports to China, big wins on shelf life in the Middle East, and finally, a focus on Thailand, which was showing positive export volumes in 2020, however COVID-19 has resulted in a significant impact on the all-important tourism trade.
Featured in this episode: Joe Zhu, Ellen Young, Nick Meara and Tim Ryan.
In episode 2, we hear from MLAs National Customer Development Manager, Scott Cameron who sheds light on the drivers and marketing activities in the Australian Domestic market.
We discuss the latest situation in Indonesia with MLA’s Country Manager Valeska. Charlie Ko MLA’s Country Manager in Korea provides an update on the Covid-19 recovery and what impact this is having on the Australian red meat trade.
Lastly over to Europe where Market Access Manager Mary Johnson provides an update on FTA negotiations in the EU and Brexit.
Featured in this episode;
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Andrew Cox General Manager - Singapore, International Markets Email Andrew |
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Rob Williams Regional Manager - North America, International Markets Email Rob |
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Joe Zhu Country Manager - Greater China, International Markets Email Joe |
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Scott Walker Regional Manager - Japan & Korea, International Markets Email Scott |
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Valeska Country Manager - Indonesia, International Markets Email Valeska |
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Mary Johnson Market Access Manager – Europe, International Markets Email Mary |
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Charlie Ko Country Manager - South Korea, International Markets Email Charlie |
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Josh Anderson International Business Manager, International Markets Email Josh |
Episode 1 features an update from Andrew Cox, General Manager, International Markets plus detailed insights from MLA managers on the ground in Japan, China and the US who share the latest insights from each market and discuss the global implications of COVID-19 for the Australian red meat and livestock industry.
