A consumer research programme, to be launched by Alliance Group, will survey Chinese consumers on the taste and quality of New Zealand lamb, in comparison with Chinese and Inner Mongolian lamb.
A Chinese delegation recently visited Alliance Group before the launch of the programme, which is funded by Alliance Group, Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Grand Farm, Alliance Group's in-market partner.
Representatives from Grand Farm and two Chinese Government officials toured the Lorneville processing plant near Invercargill, the Mataura beef-processing plant and the venison plant at Makarewa. The delegation also visited an Alliance Group supplier farm.
The delegation's arrival coincided with Alliance Group and Grand Farm developing a five-point blueprint designed to further increase business between the companies.
The blueprint included the launch of the consumer research programme, new product development and ensuring Alliance Group products continued to meet the changing tastes of Chinese consumers.
The two companies would discuss the possibility of Alliance Group exporting New Zealand venison to China.