By JASON SOM KAUT
THE local demand for beef is increasing.
And Ramu Beef, the country’s major beef producer, is aiming to produce premium meat amidst big plans to increase abattoir facility to meet the demand.
Ramu Agri-Industries (RAI) chairman Peter Colton made this observation in a remark before the business community in Lae last week.
He said: “The company had record sales of beef last September.”
The proposed new multi-purpose abattoir will be built to export standards and will boost Ramu Beef the capacity to slaughter beef for its clients.
Upon completion of slaughterhouse upgrade, Ramu hoped to increase its market share by 9% to 20% and to maintain about 25,000 heads of cattle.
The company had also announced plans to start a “superior bull breeding and genetic programme” in the Markham Valley.
It is understood the expansion would take about three years at substantial cost.
Mr Colton said RAI would shift its beef focus to Leron and Gusap, and over the years, further down the Markham Valley.
Superior bull varieties will be imported from Queensland, Australia for the breeding programme.