NZ beef 'punching above its weight'

Fairfax

TOP NOTCH: Zealand grass-fed beef had a strong flavour compared with grain-fed beef common in other parts of the world, a McDonald's purchasing manager says.

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New Zealand beef is a premium product that is highly sought after in overseas markets, McDonald's Australia and New Zealand purchasing manager Arron Hoyle says.

Mr Hoyle said New Zealand grass-fed beef had a strong flavour compared with grain-fed beef and was an excellent source of lean protein.

"From a global perspective New Zealand punches above its weight," he told more than 100 farmers at a Meat and Wool New Zealand Sheep and Beef Council field-day at Millers Flat last week.

Mr Hoyle buys New Zealand beef for hamburger chain McDonald's, which operates in 118 countries and serves more than 56 billion people per day.

Its sales typically exceed US$55 billion per year while its food and paper spend amounts to about US$20 billion annually.

Mr Hoyle said New Zealand beef was sold in 70 per cent of McDonald's 33,000 restaurants in 20 countries worldwide.

"It is one of the most important countries in our global supply chain."

Mr Hoyle said the the outlook for beef was "pretty darn positive" because of strong demand.

However, the challenge for New Zealand farmers, who he described as the most innovative in the world, was to supply beef year round.

"It is extremely difficult to source product in the winter."

Mr Hoyle also believed a good traceability system was essential for the New Zealand beef industry.

"Our consumers are saying they want transparency, traceability and trust.

"They want to know the burger they are eating is safe."

- © Fairfax NZ News