Richard Butler | Exclusive Report by AMONA KELLEN of DAILY POST VU | 10TH AUGUST 2024
The Teouma Group, a prominent player in Vanuatu’s cattle industry, is set to enhance its focus on producing the highest quality beef for export.
“We are preparing to make significant changes to our genetics this year to produce top-tier beef,” the Managing Director, who chose to remain anonymous, conveyed in a statement.
The Teouma Group, which operates several companies across Efate and Epi, is Vanuatu’s leading cattle producer. With seven farms on Efate and an additional farm on Epi, the group manages a herd of approximately 16,000 to 20,000 cattle.
They are also the principal shareholder in Vanuatu Abattoirs Limited (VAL), the country’s sole facility meeting international export standards.
“We supply between 50% and 75% of the cattle processed at the abattoir in Port Vila,” said a spokesperson for Teouma Group.
While the local market also utilises VAL, other butchers and farmers contribute to the local supply. In contrast, Teouma Group primarily focuses on beef exports.
“Our main market is Papua New Guinea, but we also export to Japan, the Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand, depending on market demands,” the spokesperson added.
The group’s process involves separating calves from their mothers after 12 months, aiming to slaughter them at around 24 months, achieving a target weight of approximately 300 to 350 kilograms. They source their cattle genetics globally, including from America, Australia, and South America, and use artificial insemination to enhance their herd.
Teouma Group predominantly breeds Draftmaster cattle, known for their suitability to tropical conditions, supplemented with Red Angus genetics to add marbling to the meat.
Currently, their cattle consist of 75% Draftmaster and 25% Red Angus. The group plans to introduce new breeds to meet market demands and boost their product offerings.
