- The Meat Trader's Journal
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- Laura Valls #9
Welcome to the MEAT Traders’ Journal
You Best Guide for Meat Trading!
Hey, it's Laura.
Guess what? I'm shaking things up with our newsletter. Instead of just once a week, you're now getting updates twice - every Tuesday and Thursday. And I'm keeping them brief, so you can get through them quick.
On Tuesdays, I'll cover market insights, and I'll wrap up anything extra on Thursdays. This switch is all about making the info quicker for you to read and easier to use.
Ready? Let’s jump in!😎
Market Intel Weekly Nugget
Beef Giants: What's Behind the Steak?
Big news from the world of meat production and environmental rights. A group called Global Witness, with help from the BBC, just dropped a report saying some big meat companies in Brazil got caught cutting down trees where they shouldn't. They pointed fingers at JBS, Minerva, and Marfrig in the Cerrado plains of Brazil, but these companies are saying, "Not us!".
This investigation zoomed in on Mato Grosso, a spot in the vast Cerrado area, and found out a bunch of deforestation for ranches was probably not on the up-and-up. Why? Because there were no permits for chopping down those trees.
Meanwhile, over in Europe, there's a new rule coming that's about keeping deforested products off shelves. It’s called the EU Deforestation Regulation. By the end of 2024 (and mid-2025 for the little guys), if you want to sell stuff like beef, coffee, palm oil, and soy to the EU, you have to prove it didn't come from land cleared after 2020. Miss the mark, and it could cost you big. But, some people are worried this could hit small farmers hard since they might not have the paperwork to back up their goods.
And there's a bit of a loophole – this new law doesn't fully cover the Cerrado plains like it does the Amazon, which has some environmentalists calling for tougher rules.
On the global stage, Brazil was the top beef exporter last year, sending out more than 3 million tons, with the U.S., India, and Australia not far behind. But, when it comes to who's eating the most beef, the U.S. takes the top spot since a lot of their beef stays home.
Keep an eye on how this unfolds, especially with those new rules around the corner.
Cool Jobs in the Food Industry: Trendologist
What is a culinary trendologist?
A culinary trendologist spots food trends before they're big. They figure out if these trends will stick around. Think of them as the fortune-tellers of food, guiding businesses on what's next.
Why does this job matter?
It's all about staying ahead. These experts help food businesses make smart moves and earn more. culinary trend analysis and food consulting
What skills do you need?
You've got to know food inside out, first of all. Trendologists often start in other food jobs and learn a ton.
They need creativity, to think differently and spot connections.
Knowing the food industry really well is key.
They must be good at analyzing things, understanding why we eat what we do and predicting changes.
Being able to share their insights clearly is a must.
Plus, they've got to love food and be curious about what's next.
Who hires them?
They could work for research firms, big food companies, or by themselves as culinary trend analysis and food consultants.
People like Mike Kostyo and Christine Couvelier are rocking it on their own, sharing cool insights and even getting on TV.
Other names to be worth mentioning and follow:
It's a great path if you love food and want to try something new and creative.
APRIL 2024: Are you attending any Food and Meat Fair?
🌟 If you're passionate about the latest in the food and beverage industry, especially meat, then you're in for a treat! There's a world of events out there for you. Whether you're looking to network, discover new products, or dive deep into industry trends, these gatherings are where you want to be.
Market of Good Taste - The Slow Food Fair from April 4 to 7 in Stuttgart (Germany). This event focuses on promoting good, clean and fair food practices.
Salon Gourmets from 22 to 24 April in Madrid, Spain. This event showcase high-end products and the latest trends.
ProPack Vietnam from April 3 to 5 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a packaging and food processing technology exhibition offering insights into the latest innovation in the industry.
FHA-Food & Beverage Asia running from April 16 to 18 in Singapore. This massive trade show highlights the latest trends and innovations in the food and beverage industry across Asia.
Korea Pack occurring simultaneously with FHA-Food & Beverage Asia from April 23 to April 26 in Seoul, Korea. It focuses on packaging machinery and technology, which is essential for the food and beverage industry.
And hey, if you know of any meat-industry must-attends that I haven't mentioned, let's hear about them! Sharing is caring, and your fellow readers might just find their next destination through you.
BUSINESS CORNER
I found this website for JOBS in Australia within the meat industry.
You can find jobs from Operations Manager, Meat Sales and Purchasing, Chef Operations Manager in a Food Manufacturing Plant, QA office, and much more.
Check it out if you are interested in looking for what other roles are out there.
Example of Job description at www.seek.com.au
One last thing…
If you are aiming to strengthen your business foothold in the APAC Market in this areas:
Market Expansion and helping with client Acquisition
New Market Fit with product/specification development
Sales Growth and Price Optimization with Market Intel
Sales Training and objection ideation to gain new clients
There are 3 ways that Meat Trading Hub (MTH) can help you:
✅Your Supply and Purchasing Advisor 1:1
✅I create win-win partnerships between you and strategic importers and/ or suppliers
✅On-line/off-line Sales Training sessions to elevate your Global sales team
Schedule a discovery call. Though times are coming and we all need to source and sell with better margins, right?