A strong and trusted partnership between a Wuhan based distributor of Australian beef and their Australian supplier ensured shipments continued during the worst of the pandemic crisis.
ANZJoy International, a major distributor of Australian beef in Wuhan, established collaboration with the Penfold family from Queensland's Meandarra region over a coffee at Beef Australia in 2018.
The first container of Four Daughters premium grain fed Angus beef arrived in Shanghai in July 2019 quickly building a strong brand and reputation with strong sales growth.
In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, China's government locked down Wuhan on 23 January 2020. ANZJoy and Four Daughters business collaboration was severely impacted with restaurant and hotel closures, broken supply chains and significant port congestion.
Instead of stopping in the face of significant difficulties, ANZJoy decided to absorb potential losses, shifting from food service to supermarkets, retail outlets and ecommerce channels. Around $ AUD 600,000 worth of stock was held up in transit held in Shanghai.
"When faced with unprecedented adversity, we look to our humanity, we look to collaboration and support. These are the ingredients to a successful partnership and overcoming the difficulties," said Frank Zhang, General Manager of ANZJoy International.
In discussions with the Penfold family it was decided that it was paramount to maintain supply but staggered shipments to allow time to work with authorities to clear containers, guaranteeing supply to Wuhan's citizens.
Karen Penfold, owner of Four Daughters, said that Australian supply chains had seen significant pressure due to the recent drought and were disrupted even further due to the pandemic.
"In these times, relationships are tested but working together with ANZJoy has allowed us to establish a high quality branded beef program amongst it all and now we are facing a global pandemic along with high cattle and feed prices in Australia", said Karen Penfold.
"We are together working on solutions that may well revolutionise how we do business long after Covid-19 has past. The relationship between our family and supply chain partners has helped ensure consistency and ANJoy will remain the platform for the ongoing success of Four Daughters brand in China," she said.
ANZJoy also assisted the efforts of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) donating two tons of beef to eight Wuhan hospitals in February aiding the fight.
On 8 April, seventy-six days after the city Wuhan was effectively closed, the restrictions have been lifted. The partnership has endured and is set to become even stronger as China recovers and demand increases for high quality protein.
From left to right, General Manager Frank and Financial Director Lisa of ANZJoy, Austrade Wuhan Post Business Development Manager Marina Zhang and Four Daughters Brand Owner from Penfold Family Karen, Dan and their daughter Bonnie, at the Wuhan Liangzhilong International Foodstuff E-commerce Expo in March 2019, the initial launch of brand "Four Daughters" Australian beef cut in China market.
