Financial economic turmoil continues to threaten Australia’s economy with recession, but T&R Pastoral chief executive officer Darren Thomas says the company will remain a stronghold in the uncertain times.
“Unfortunately there will be some joblessness in Australia, but we will be one of the few bucking the trend,” he said.
Mr Thomas said world demand for food would ensure the company continued to grow, and despite other processors having some difficulties with inter-national markets, the company had not experienced any product return so far.
“There has been some market failure experienced by Russia from meat companies in Australia, but T&R was fortunate not to be one of them,” he said.
Mr Thomas said the plant employed about 1300 people, making it the biggest regional employer in South Australia, and this number was expected to remain stable.
“As the biggest employer in the area, for young people that’s very reassuring as they enter the job market for the first time,” he said.
T&R’s position a South Australia’s largest meat processing company was further consolidated recently, after they became a licensed processor for Certified Australian Angus Beef.
CAAB chief executive Phil Morley said it would create another vehicle for South Australia’s Angus breeders to supply cattle for CAAB.
“Despite the internationally difficult circumstances we are currently all operating in, we are very confident this new development will facilitate further long term expansion of the brand,” he said.

(Murray Valley Standard 14/11/2008)