The Drought in Australia and its affect on the Meat Industry

Thank you for taking the time to read this very important letter

For 10 years, Vic’s Meat has depended upon, and promoted, grain fed beef. We have put our faith in grain fed beef because of its higher quality texture, flavour and pure eating enjoyment. Australia is in the grip of a severe drought that has drastically reduced the number of producers offering grain fed meat to us, and has made what grain fed beef there is available significantly more expensive.
 
While many food industries are affected to some degree or other by drought, the effect it has on the meat industry is perhaps its most severe. Many beef producers who have stayed in business hoping for a break in the weather have now left the industry. In the past we have been able to select from a range of grain fed beef producers to ensure you always pay the most competitive price. Those that remain are committed to producing quality grain fed meat, and we will be securing this for you, but we, and you, need to be prepared to pay more.  
 
Please be aware that our industry has reached a tipping point and that there is no possibility in the short term of a return to the past. We do not expect prices to drop back to current price levels for at least 18 months, if at all. Cattle farmers right across Australia are turning cattle off grain, or feeding them for shorter periods of time, and charging us new higher prices to keep their businesses viable. The same situation confronts our poultry suppliers, our rabbit supplier, our game bird growers, the pig farmers and the lamb producer – all of whom need supplementary feed and water to keep their animals healthy on land with no real pasture.
 
This letter then is a direct communication to you to explain why you will begin to see some price rises in your meats from Vic’s. We expect these price increases to start this week, and to be in the vicinity of 10 to 15% across the board.
 
We have made the decision to work alongside our suppliers to help them through this very difficult period, in some cases offering to pay a premium on what they get now in order to encourage them to stay in business, to keep their quality high and their attitude positive. We believe that this is vitally important so that you in turn do not suffer a drop in the quality of product you receive from Vic’s Meat. We believe that this gesture is one that you would want us to make on your behalf.
 
We wish you all a very busy summer and Christmas period, and want you to know that you will always receive the best produce from us, consistently. We will not substitute one product for another, nor will we mis-communicate what is happening in our industry. We thank you for your business with us, thank you for your understanding and look forward to speaking with you anytime you feel like talking produce, or indeed if you need more information on this letter.
 
Kind regards
 
Anthony Puharich
 
I would encourage you to check;
www.abc.net.au/landline, www.mla.com.au and www.csiro.gov.au for further information on the drought.