Harvest Road targets continued growth into global markets, appoints new CEO

Harvest Road Group is implementing a new phase of domestic and international growth for its Western Australian food brands to meet increased global demand for high-quality and sustainable agri-food products.

Already one of Australia’s largest and most diverse agricultural businesses, Harvest Road’s portfolio is geared to meet continued expansion across its core brands – meat proteins and aquaculture – driven by an increasing global population and new markets for sustainably-produced food products.

Continuing to invest in innovative technology and sustainable agricultural practices throughout its integrated supply chain remains a critical focus for Harvest Road.

The Group’s beef division – which includes the Harvey Beef brand – is already the state’s largest beef processor and owns a state-of-the-art processing facility in Harvey.

Construction of a major cattle finishing facility at Koojan is currently underway to create an interlocking production chain from the north to south west of WA, based on best-practice ecological planning and animal welfare management.

In August 2020, Harvest Road launched its new aquaculture brand – Leeuwin Coast – that includes rock oysters, Akoya and mussels across the most pristine sites on Western Australia’s coastline. Planning is currently underway to construct a new aquaculture base in Albany which would become one of the largest such facilities in the country.

As part of this next phase of growth, Harvest Road is pleased to announce the appointment of food services, wholesale and retail industry leader Paul Slaughter as incoming CEO.

As CEO of Mrs Mac’s for Australia and New Zealand, Mr Slaughter has led investment in product quality, innovation and brand expansion with a focus on sustainability and support for West Australian suppliers and producers.

Tattarang CEO Andrew Hagger and Chief Investment Officer John Hartman said Mr Slaughter’s 25 years’ experience delivering growth and brand development across local and emerging markets will help Harvest Road introduce new customers to its sustainable, high-quality and ethically grown agri-food products.

“We are excited to welcome Paul to our Harvest Road and Tattarang families. He brings considerable knowledge across food and retail supply chains and shares our vision to continue to grow Harvest Road as a global market-leader and sustainable producer which honours Western Australian fine foods,” Mr Hagger said.

“Our investment in Harvest Road has created world-class integrated supply chain capabilities and export growth into 40 markets. We look forward to working with Paul to seize further opportunities to share the best of our local produce with the rest of the world,” Mr Hartman said.

Mr Slaughter said it is a privilege to join Harvest Road.

“It is a great opportunity to build on its incredible legacy and commitment to showcasing Western Australia’s exceptional produce to the rest of the country and the world. We have an opportunity now to expand Harvest Road’s place at the heart of Western Australia’s growing international food reputation,” Mr Slaughter said.

Harvest Road is part of Tattarang, one of Australia’s largest private investment groups and owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest. It features an agricultural heritage that dates back to 1878 when David Forrest founded Minderoo Station in the heart of the Pilbara, 40km south east of Onslow.

Safeguarding this heritage, Harvest Road is committed to using innovative technology to produce the highest quality food products. In September 2020, Harvest Road announced a joint research initiative with Meat and Livestock Australia and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to map carbon emissions across its entire supply chain to identify opportunities for reducing emissions with the vision of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030.

An end-to-end producer, Harvest Road is differentiated by its 100 per cent traceable, sustainable and ethical produce and actively monitors standards and controls quality at every step.