Australian red meat products sold a total of 31,755 tonnes in 2008 in the UAE compared to 25,526 tonnes in 2007, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) said.

A recently issued MLA report showed major growth across the full range of Australian red meat products, underlining their continuous significance in the UAE market. 

The report sets UAE as the largest market in the region for Australian beef products which recorded a massive increase by 138 per cent in 2008, jumping to 4312 tons from 1807 tons in 2007. The jump was due partially to increased demand by consumers and five-star hotels, and mainly to growth of boneless beef sales for manufacturing hamburgers and frozen retail meat products.

Mutton sales also increased significantly from 9179 tons to 12278 tons, scoring a major growth by 34 per cent, driven mainly by strong demand from caterers. Australian lamb which is traditionally in higher demand in the UAE market than beef and mutton products, increased by 2.20 per cent to reach 13880 tons in 2008 compared to 13581 in 2007.
 
“The fact that this major growth increase in sales of various Australian red meat products in the UAE market happened in a period of rising costs, inflation and financial slump is a genuine endorsement by all stakeholders of the great confidence for Australia’s food safety systems, animal health and welfare and the integrity of the Australian halal system,” said Ian Ross, MLA regional manager - MEA Region, commenting on this major growth. – TradeArabia News Service