2023 Sustainability and Green Economy winner

Paradigm Foods: meeting global sustainability goals

Brisbane (Meeanjin Country), Queensland

Paradigm Foods is the first and only Australian red meat exporter to gain B Corp Certification. For this environmentally and socially conscious company, a win in the Australian Export Awards is a win for the whole industry.

Paradigm Foods' story

Paradigm Foods was born in 2018 to challenge the status quo of the traditional meat industry. 

It now employs 28 people and exports its bespoke, premium beef and lamb brands to more than 26 countries. Key markets include China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

‘Paradigm Foods is inspired by a passion to rethink the norm,’ says General Manager, Nick Thompson. ‘We wanted to find new and better ways of doing things.’ 

A new paradigm for sustainable meat

Paradigm Foods is the first and only Australian red meat exporter to gain B Corp Certification. 

B Corp businesses meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance and transparency.

‘B Corp certification for Paradigm Foods has validated a broad range of social purpose and sustainability considerations we have implemented across our company,’ says Thompson.

Targeting a more conscious consumer

Paradigm Foods products occupy a niche space in the red meat industry. Its portfolio of brands includes Icon Wagyu, Roam Australian Wagyu, Scot Black Angus, Roots Regenerative Beef, Margra Lamb and Alba Australian White Lamb.

The brands target high-end protein customers and those searching for red meat produced with a focus on sustainability.

‘Our customers range from high-end retail to some of the finest restaurants around the world,’ says Thompson. ‘Without a doubt, the focus on procuring red meat from a reputable company with a clear focus on sustainability is evident.’ 

Pillars of purpose

Sustainability and purpose run deep within the Paradigm Foods business. The company is guided by its Four Pillars of Purpose. These include Product, Partners, People and Planet. 

‘To be recognised in the Sustainability and Green Economy category for the Australian Export Awards allows us to share leadership in our industry to produce red meat in a sustainable way,’ says Thompson.

‘It’s an amazing opportunity to recognise that the whole industry is moving in a more sustainable direction.’

Targeting a mature meat market

Key target markets for the next period include the UK and the EU. ‘We understand these are mature markets for Australian beef and lamb,’ says Thompson.

‘But Europe is leading the world in sustainability and climate action. We believe our products could be in high demand over the coming years, especially our Roots Regenerative grass-fed beef.’

Thompson says his team is looking forward to working with Austrade and Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) to access these new markets. ‘We work extensively with Austrade and TIQ, and are very grateful for the opportunity to do so.’

Australian Export Awards a robust and rewarding platform

Thompson describes the Australian Export Awards as ‘a robust and rewarding platform to recognise the achievements of leading Australian exporters.’ 

He believes export stories need be shared and celebrated to continue to drive all Australian exporters.

‘For an Australian meat company to win the Sustainability and Green Economy Award is an amazing achievement for our young company,’ he says. 

‘It is a huge reward and recognition for our efforts in sustainability. We are very proud of our role creating impactful change and excited for what this achievement means for the entire red meat industry.’

Sustainability and Green Economy finalists

• A.H. Beard
• Air Water Global
• FLINTpro
• Smartstream Technology
  
• SR Portables
• Tassal Operations

Read more about these finalists.