JEDDAH, 4 August 2006 — There has been a record increase in Australian sheep meat imports into Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East.
Shipments to the region have been buoyant on the back of a range of factors, including great consumer confidence in Australian food safety systems and Halal procedures, increased regional wealth due to stronger oil revenues, reduced competition from other lamb exporters and a reduction in consumption of poultry due to consumer fears relating to bird flu, Ian Ross, regional manager of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), said yesterday.
MLA is responsible for the implementation of marketing and market support programs and for commissioning research and development for Australian meat and livestock throughout the world, said Ross who was here in the course of his visit to the Kingdom.
Asked whether there was a move on the part of the company to move its hub from Bahrain to elsewhere in the region, Ross said: “Bahrain remains the hub for Australian meat exports because of its central location that allows easy access across the causeway to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, our two major markets in the region.”
Citing reasons for increased meat imports from Australia, Ross told Arab News that Australian processors who export to the Middle East met strict regulations on Shariah-compliant slaughter procedures set by Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC. “These systems are audited by representatives from the GCC to ensure that Halal products exported to the region meet religious requirements,” he said, adding that these regulations are rigorously supported by Australian government legislation.
Employing the most advanced international technologies and stringent hygiene standards, Australia is a leading producer and exporter of red meat products with annual exports of 2.5 million ton meat products, including 910,000 ton beef and veal, 141,000 ton lamb and 141,000 ton mutton. In 2004-05, Australia exported more than three million sheep and 8,000 cattle to the Middle East.
Australian lamb exports to the Middle East during the 2005-06 financial year increased by 35 percent, to a record high of 16,177 tons, “with Australia’s reputation for rigid food safety systems and reliable supply as key factors behind the increase,” he said.
Exports to the UAE accounted for more than half of all lamb shipments for the period. Exports to the UAE increased 40 percent on the previous year, to 9,016 tons.
Exports to Jordan increased significantly, up 183 percent, to 1,806 tons, while shipments to Saudi Arabia increased 6 percent, to 4,208 tons.
“Overall, the growth of Australian meat export continues into 2006 with beef, in particular, returning on a strength of reputation for food safety and rigid quarantine standards and the popularity of great tasting high value steak cuts in the five star food service sector,” Ross said and emphasized that integrity of Halal system (protected by Australian government legislation) had always been a strong influential factor as well. In June, sales hit 824 tons - 100 tons higher than the previous record.
“The quality of Australian lamb is recognized by supermarket and restaurant buyers. There’s a great response now to the flavor of Australian lamb, and also there’s a strong awareness of it,” he said. “We’ve been doing all we can for some time to encourage the awareness of the safety systems and the traceability, the integrity of the Australian Halal system. I think there’s great confidence in Australian sheep meat products generally.”
MLA, a producer-owned company that provides services to livestock producers, processors, exporters, foodservice operators and retailers, has around 34,000 livestock producer ‘members’ who have stakeholder entitlements in the company.
“On behalf of the meat and livestock industry, we manage and operate a portfolio of marketing activities aimed at maintaining and increasing demand for Australian meat and livestock, both at home and overseas,” Ross said.