Australian red meat sector expands engagement with Middle East markets

MIDDLE EAST – Australian red meat exporters displayed a substantial presence at this year’s Gulfood event in Dubai, with 37 companies from the sector showcasing their products at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City Dubai.

Trade data from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) show that Australian red meat and livestock exports to the Middle East and North Africa reached A$2.2 billion in 2025 (US$1.45 billion).

The MENA region remains a major market for Australian beef and lamb, with chilled beef accounting for the bulk of exports to the United Arab Emirates, at US$207 million in 2025.

In the same year, Australian sheep meat exports to the Middle East and North Africa were valued at about US$259 million, highlighting strong demand for Halal-certified products.

MLA’s regional manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Darren Watson, said Gulfood serves as a key meeting place for buyers and sellers and that consumer preferences in the region are shifting toward higher quality and premium products.

Watson also pointed to the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as helping reduce trade barriers by removing tariffs on Australian red meat, which improved price competitiveness in key markets.

All Australian red meat exported to the region is certified Halal under the Australian Government Authorised Halal Program to meet religious and market standards.

Showcasing Innovation

At Gulfood, the Australian pavilion spanned more than 720 square metres and featured a range of products, including grass-fed and grain-fed beef, lamb, mutton, and goat, along with information on Halal assurance practices and supply chain traceability.

Live cooking demonstrations at the site drew sustained visitor engagement, and the event also featured the inaugural Gulfood Innovation Challenge, in which international companies pitched ideas for sustainable packaging, ambient storage solutions, and nutrient-dense offerings.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell visited the stand during the exhibition, meeting with exporters and MLA representatives as part of wider engagement efforts.

Livestock Program Activity

Alongside the red meat showcase, the MLA- and LiveCorp-supported Livestock Export Program facilitated discussions on live animal trade with stakeholders from Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, who expressed interest in both boxed meat and live exports.

Following the event, MLA chair John Lloyd inspected livestock pens, an operational abattoir and a wet market in the UAE on 29 January, and conducted retail inspections the next day, while an MLA delegation, including senior staff, later visited Jordan to review cattle feedlot and abattoir conditions.

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