Northern Irish processor targets Singapore for premium steak


WD Meats, the Northern Irish meat processor, hopes to land business in Singapore for premium steak products to supermarkets.



Based in Coleraine, county Londonderry, WD Meats is the first Northern Ireland-based meat company - and only one of three from the UK - to secure approval from animal health authorities in Singapore to supply meat products for retail and foodservice operations there.



Francis Dillon, managing director of WD Meats, says: "While we haven't secured any business yet from the lifting of the ban on UK beef by the Singapore authorities in December, we are now actively marketing our range of premium steak products and aiming to finalise arrangements with suitable representatives in what could be an excellent marketplace for us.



"The agreement to lift the ban means that beef processors will now be able to export cuts of de-boned beef from cattle aged 30 months to Singapore. It follows pressure from the UK Government and gives us a strong position in the market."



Initial business for the three UK processors could be worth around £10 million. The new business opportunity follows an inspection by Singapore's Agri-Food Veterinary Authority that resulted from a decision by the government there to lift a ban on UK meat imposed following the BSE outbreak in Great Britain.



WD Meats has a strong track record in exports and is position to develop opportunities presented in Singapore. The company hopes that other markets, including China, will follow Singapore's example and lift their offering new opportunities to red meat companies to supply products.



WD Meats is a family-owned and managed business which has been processing beef in Coleraine since 1987. The company's modern, 100,000 sq ft complex is built on 35 acres and incorporates its total processing operation under one roof.



Slaughtering, boning, packing and despatch facilities are all provided in house, giving the company complete control over all stages of production and ensuring customers of the highest standards in all aspects of the processing operation.