Mottainai Lamb suspends its operations to focus on post COVID-19 comeback

An award winning-WA lamb producer has put itself on ice — possibly for up to18 months — as the pandemic claims another casualty. Mottainai Lamb, established by lawyer Suzannah Moss-Wright, Sumich Group’s head Nick Tana and Zorzi home builders’ chairman Wally Zorzi, has produced its last batch of premium wagyu-type lamb — at least until the world returns to a more normal state. Despiteamassing a global following since its launch four years ago, Mottainai has found itself cut off from key global and eastern states customers because of high freight rates and restaurant closures. Ms Moss-Wright said logistical challenges meant continuing the business was too expensive and risky, and eroding the business’ capital. “We decided to bite the bullet and reposition the business for the longer term, rather than using up capital and becoming a slowly sinking ship,” she said. “Our last lamb was sent off to the Eastern States this week. It breaks my heart. “I’d love to say we’re stopping for six months but it depends on what happens and how fast the world recovers from the pandemic. It could be years before international flights to return to normal. “The business was making 20 per cent gross margins if lucky, we couldn’t absorb a trebling of freight rates.” Although the Federal Government is offering subsidies on international freight, Ms Moss-Wright said Mottainai rarely qualified because shipments had to be five tonnes or above. There was no freight subsidies to the eastern states. Ms Moss-Wright said although freezing the product was considered, it would have reduced its impact as a super premium product. She said Mottainai needed to produce 560 head a month to break even, but Perth could only absorb 400 head a month. Mottainai launched with a buzz in 2016, producing a distinctly marbled meat recognised for its taste, high oleic acid and Omega-3 fat content. It was also recognised for its sustainability credentials, with Lancelin raised lambs fed on a mix comprising odd shaped carrots and olive oil.