Aldi to grow lamb trade with WAMMCO

Lamb will continue to be processed by WAMMCO, but will be packaged by Harvey Beef under an exclusive long-term partnership to supply to Aldi WA, which is due to open its four stores on June 8.

WAMMCO chief executive Coll MacRury told Farm Weekly the partnership was a good step forward to get into the domestic market.

"It means we have a more diverse product portfolio," Mr MacRury said.

"We are a heavily export-orientated business, and this will give us a foot in the door on the West Coast with an aggressively strong partner that we see a good future with."

Mr MacRury said producers would have more options for their lambs.

"If the Australian dollar gets too strong against overseas traders, we could direct more into the local market," he said.

WAMMCO will supply about 1000 lambs a week for Aldi.

"It is not big yet, but over time it could be a decent-sized business," he said.

"We will supply all year, but it depends on what Aldi need, we will go off consumer demand.

"Local consumers in WA have a chance to eat export quality lamb, which is what overseas customers have enjoyed for a number of years.

"We will be able to put those top lambs into the domestic trade."

Harvey Beef general manager Wayne Shaw said Havey Beef was pleased to be working with WAMMCO to supply lamb to Aldi.

"Where possible we are getting lamb from WAMMCO," Mr Shaw said.

"Their product will hit the shelves in Aldi next week and Harvey Beef range will launch into the different outlets in July."

Harvey Beef will continue its long-standing supply agreement with Coles and also supply branded products to IGA.

Aldi Stores buying director Annette MacFarland said the company was excited about getting the products onto shelves.

"After a couple of years of hard work it is good to see everything come together,'' Ms MacFarland said.

"There is plenty of room for volume growth, which is what we need, so we look forward to growing with Harvey Beef."