July 28, 2006

Western meat companies congregate to tap China's meat market

Western meat processing and meat processing equipment companies congregated in China this week at the China International Meat Industry Exhibition in Beijing to have a slice of the growing pie which is China's meat market.

More than 20 companies from Europe and the United States are exhibiting at the Beijing Exhibition Centre. The meat promotion organisations of various countries such as Bord Bia from Ireland and Australia's MLA are also present.

Many meat processing equipment companies are starting to establish themselves in the China market by building processing plants in China. Netherlands-based processor MPS, which has been in the Chinese market for several years, recently moved into a new plant.

Meat or meat-related companies such as Netherlands-based processor MPS, US slaughter-equipment company Jarvis, and packaging company Sealed Air Cryovac are opening factories or technical centres in China. 

45 percent of the world's meat production in China is going to be in China eventually, Sealed Air Cryovac's product line manager Lawrie Stewart said, so it is important to have a representation in the country.