Jonathan Eckley
Head of Asia Pacific Export
AHDB

The Asia Pacific region has become a key focus of our export work here at AHDB, with the Far East offering many opportunities for meat producers in the UK. Therefore it’s vital that the person at the helm, building on our already strong export figures, has a wealth of experience and knowledge about the industry, international trade and consumer needs.

With more than 30 years’ experience within the livestock sector, Jonathan takes the lead on international market development activity across the Asia Pacific region for the red meat sectors and is responsible for ensuring AHDB’s work adds real value throughout the supply chain.

Jonathan joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s economics department in 2006 where he has grown his expertise across the livestock sectors. For the last eight years, Jonathan has focused on supporting British meat exporters to develop their business on global markets, with a particular focus on working closely with the British pork sector. This included organising outward missions to far-flung destinations to explore potential opportunities and helping to showcase the UK’s high-quality produce to key participants in international markets.

As a key member of the export team, Jonathan’s role involves promoting pork, beef and  lamb from the UK to key markets through a coordinated and targeted export programme, including attendance at leading international trade shows, outward and inward market missions and integrated PR campaigns.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers and processors in the supply chain. The AHDB inspires British farmers, growers and wider industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world to be more competitive and resilient. A key role supports the industry to understand and deliver what consumers will trust and buy on global markets. The AHDB also plays an active role on behalf the British industry in market development work and marketing activity to inspire and inform consumers.