Bundara Exports to China

China is emerging as a potentially strong market for Australian prime lamb genetics according to South Australian White Suffolk and Poll Dorset breeder Steve Funke of Bundara Downs, Western Flat, who has contributed 19 stud rams and 43 stud ewes to two recent shipments.

These sheep will be used to improve the quality of existing meat sheep flocks in China and be part of 1400 head loads of sheep freighted by air to Chinese ports close to where the sheep will be utilised in breeding programs.

“China is a huge market and if these sheep perform as they should we could see even more significant orders for registered performance recorded rams and ewes going to China,” said Mr Funke.

Elders International’s David Reed who organised the shipments, was equally optimistic about the growth of this trade.

“It is not huge at the moment but there is certainly great potential to grow this market that will benefit Australian stud breeders who can produce the type of sheep required by China,” said Mr Reed who will be accompanying the next air-load of 1400 sheep to China in October.