Genetics Australia, including subsidiary Total Livestock Genetics, has been granted official re-accreditation to export bovine semen and embryos to China, re-opening a potentially huge market for Australian genetics.
A start date for the resumption of exports is yet to be confirmed and it is expected that most exports will initially be beef genetics.
The previous accreditation ended in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, China was Genetics Australia’s biggest export market. Its last export package to China in 2021 was more than 100,000 straws.
GA export manager Rob Derksen said it was too early to predict quantities, but China ending its significant trade with the United States should create big opportunities.
“We see most promise and most interest initially in beef but there should also be opportunities for dairy,” he said.
“While demand in China for imported dairy semen has dropped over recent years, there is a growing appetite for beef.”
TLG operations manager Camperdown and Glenormiston, Ruth Barber, said it was exciting news but clients need to be patient.
“We can’t say that we’re trading tomorrow but as soon as the health protocols are finalised, which should be very soon, we will have a clearer picture of when we can resume,” Ms Barber said.
The trade could include exports to China by private breeders who place bulls with Genetics Australia, exports of GA-owned semen, the supply of genetics through the URUS group into China, the placement of bulls at GA for collection by international companies, and customers using its collection and export service.
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