Middle East Regional Manager for Meat
and Livestock Australia (MLA), Ian Ross,
recently attended MLA's Beef Industry
Projections seminar in Australia during
which indicators for world beef markets
were reviewed. In the light of strong
global demand and the continuing increase
of Australian beef exports to the Middle
East region, industry councils, meat
processors and Australian farmers were
among the industry personnel discussing
the demand and structural change in
cattle markets during the last six months.
Beef exports to the Middle East, for
the financial year to date, have increased
by 59% to 1,063 tonnes.
Trade issues, cost efficiency, sustaining
high quality and competitiveness with
other meat products in the rapidly
evolving Middle East market were among
the issues which were discussed in
this bi-annual meeting. During the
visit, Government licensing agencies
such as Australian Quarantine and
Inspection Services (AQIS) were updated
on the positive reception of Australian
meat in the UAE and KSA markets during
the first half of the 2006-07 financial
year. These increases are largely
due to the taste and tenderness of
Australian beef and the nation's reputation
for world leading food safety systems
and Government supervised Halal program.
As the representative for Australian
meat and livestock producers, processors
and exporters in the Middle East,
MLA discussed the factors that contributed
to the development and success of
Australian meat trade into the region.
MLA also met with Cattle Council
of Australia and Sheepmeats Council
of Australia, organizations which
represent Australian farmers, to discuss
supplies and future market considerations
such as the rise in the 'fine dining'
sector in the UAE and the increasing
consumer confidence in Australian
food safety systems and Halal procedures.
Fifteen Australian meat exporting
companies were similarly updated.
Partaking in one of the meetings
with the Middle East Regional Manager
for MLA was David Inall, Executive
Director of the Cattle Council in
Australia, who said: "The Middle
East is an exciting market and it
is very satisfying for Australian
beef farmers to see the new growth
which is emerging. Clearly, if the
beef sector remains focused on consumers
needs, it will continue to enjoy this
strong demand and increasing share
in the Middle East market."
The food service market in the Middle
East is growing rapidly, particularly
in Dubai (UAE) where there is extraordinary
growth in the hotel industry with
200 new hotels expected within 5 years.
This provides an excellent opportunity
for Australian meat exporting companies.
Ian Ross' meetings were aimed to provide
an up-to-date and succinct analysis
of current industry trends and developments.
Frank Porcaro, Sales Director at
T&R Pastoral Company, a leading
South Australian meat exporter, commented
by saying: "We have, for several
years, recognized the opportunities
in the region. For the past five years,
we have been developing a better understanding
of this market, strengthening our
relationships and have, consequently,
been able to better meet the strong
market demand from the region."
