February 7, 2012

Australian red meat exports to Middle East and North Africa at record high

Australian red meat exports to Middle East and North Africa are at a record high of 109,652 tonnes in 2011 due to rising demands from the region.

Last year, the region was the largest lamb destination for Australian exports for the second year running at 35,643 tonnes, and remained the largest mutton market at 39,699 tonnes.

However, it is the increasingly bullish beef demand which is competing with sheep meat. At 34,310 tonnes in 2011, Australian beef shipments are closing in lamb and mutton volumes. Also, 36% of the total 15,716 tonne offal volume was beef; second only to mutton at 49%, or 7,710 tonnes.

A number of factors have contributed to the healthy 2011 result. While the political and logistical disruptions caused by the 'Arab Spring' resulted in a fall in volume to some countries, such as Egypt, it has accentuated ongoing food security concerns across the region.

Other major drivers behind the strong demand in 2011 was a 28% reduction in Brazilian beef imports into the region (at 327,238 tonnes) due to increased domestic consumption, and also tight sheep meat supplies from New Zealand - a major competitor at retail.