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Expanding into international export markets has helped drive growth for a Western Australian meat exporting business.
For over 15 years Dorper Lamb Pty have been supplying their branded lamb product to both domestic and export markets.
With previous experience with Dorpers as a livestock exporter, founding director Graeme Howie wanted to create a true paddock to palate operation which provides prime, sustainably produced Western Australian lamb to chefs and kitchens around the world.
General Manager Dale Miles said much of the success and resilience of the Dorper Lamb brand in export markets was due to direct engagement with international customers, particularly those in South-East Asia.
“Dorper Lamb is export-accredited and HACCP-approved with retail outposts in Perth, Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.
“We utilise product demonstrations with trained butchers and chefs at restaurants and hotels to promote our product and engage buyers on cut selection and cooking methods.”
Funding from Meat & Livestock Australia assisted Dorper Lamb to connect directly with customers located in Singapore and other markets.
“The program provided chefs in export markets the opportunity to see, touch and taste our product,” Mr Miles said.
“This enabled them to start building their menus around our product and brand.”
However, supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 has impacted Dorper Lamb’s export market development.
“While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, Dorper Lamb will continue to supply product through online ordering and home delivery within the domestic market,” Mr Miles said.
“We are still exporting modest volumes by air and sea freight to some South East Asian markets.
“But what we have seen during the pandemic is tremendous growth in the domestic home delivery market.
“We have re-developed some product packaging and cut portions to target these markets in the interim.”
“We offer a range of product options to our customer base which are individually vacuum packed on production,” Mr Miles said.
“We aim to achieve maximum carcass utilisation which extends to our value-add range including Dorper Lamb burger patties, lamb mince packs, sausage range, chunky lamb pies and lamb ravioli packs.
