Grants to help animal by-products and leather industry diversify export opportunities

Two Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program (ATMAC) grants will assist rendered meat products, hides, skins and leather exporters accelerate trade expansion and market diversification.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, said the $460,900 grant to the Australian Renderers Association (ARA) would help provide specialist advice on importing and supply chain logistics.

It will also provide training resources to improve understanding of the nutritional aspects of rendered products, such as meat and bone meals, and tallows.

"The training and advisory program will benefit the industry by supporting the development of new opportunities abroad and the retention of existing markets,” Minister Watt said.

“Specifically, it will target high value export opportunities in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, India and Bangladesh by upskilling overseas customers.

"We will achieve this by demonstrating the value of sustainable production of exported protein products and the optimal use of Australian rendered products.

“In the long-term, this investment will establish direct and strong customer connections with the potential to deliver long-term supply contracts.”

Executive Officer of ARA and Australian Hide Skin and Leather Exporters Association (AHSLEA), Dennis King, said a separate grant of $562,300 was awarded to the AHSLEA to promote the environmental and sustainability credentials of Australian hides and skins.

“International markets and consumers, particularly in the EU and US, are increasingly demanding evidence that products are ethically manufactured and demonstrate high environmental credentials,” Mr King said.

“By promoting sustainable credentials and ethical production we will diversify opportunities for high value leather products and better engage with key consumers in these regions.”

Fast Facts: 

• The Australian Renderers Association represents 98% of production from rendering facilities across the country.
• There are currently around 75 rendering facilities across regional Australia.
• Rendered product exports were worth approximately $1.3 billion in 2021-22.
• Australia is one of the largest exporters of hides and skins in the world with an export market valued at approximately $500 million.
• We produce around 8 million cattle hides and 30 million sheep, goat and kangaroo skins per year.