Tracking technology for Wagyu beef

Japan is a leading consumer of Australian beef

Japan's appetite for our beef is worth $2.27 billion to Australia each year. However, increasing instances of food fraud and quality breaches are undermining the successful 20 year export relationship. 

Funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) is helping promote UTS technology which harnesses the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology by securing data along the supply chain.

IoT refers to the expanding network of physical objects and their connection to one another through smart digital technology. However, it is not always possible to trust data collected through IoT, especially along supply chains with independent sections, such as Wagyu beef export.

UTS researchers have developed solutions to solve such trust issues, including devices such as NFC stickers and narrowband IoT devices, apps, and a user interface between supplier and customer. The team have extensive experience in blockchain and IoT research, including projects for tracking fish from catch to market.

Hokkaido University (HU) is a partner of UTS in the AJF project, which supports the trade relationship between Australia and Japan by promoting technology that safeguards information shared along the supply chain of a critical export.

UTS project lead Dr Ying He delivered a seminar on IoT and blockchain, and their applications, to an audience from Austrade, members of the local beef industry, local IoT companies and researchers at HU, in Sapporo, as part of the project.

This technology is generating significant interest in Japan, including from prime Wagyu studs, and the Australian Trade Commissioner.

This project may in fact contribute to future providence applications in Australia in the meat sector. Ensuring that both Japan and Australia adopt the same protocols in relation to data platforms is of interest to all.

Ron Green, Trade Commissioner and Consul

The project will feature at the 2020 International Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition (FOOMA), a leading showcase of food equipment held in Osaka, Japan.

FOOMA promotes advances in technology and solutions that cater to the diverse concerns of the food-processing industry, and is an excellent platform to showcase this innovative technology.

The project will close with a seminar held at UTS, which will be open to the regional beef industry as part of the project’s aim to build networks and increase understanding of opportunities in Japan.

This project supports UTS’ reputation for understanding industry problems and delivering real world solutions, particularly for traditionally low-tech industries in the face of industry 4.0.

Dr Ying He, UTS project lead