Source : WAM
Australian meat exports to the United Arab Emirates reached around AED800 million in 2025, while exports to the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) hit a record AED5.5 billion, reflecting rising regional demand for Australian meat.
Darren Watson, Regional Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the first day of Gulfood 2026 in Dubai that the UAE remains one of the most strategic markets for Australian red meat.
He highlighted that exports to the UAE totalled 316 million Australian dollars (around AED800 million) in 2025, up from 236 million Australian dollars in 2024. Meanwhile, exports of Australian red meat to the MENA region reached 2.2 billion Australian dollars over the same period.
Watson explained that MLA is a global leader in research, development, and marketing, investing approximately 320 million Australian dollars annually on behalf of beef, sheep, and goat producers to drive innovation, open new markets, and grow global demand for Australian red meat.
He added that 32 Australian red meat exporters are participating in Gulfood 2026, covering an exhibition space of around 720 square metres double the area from the previous edition demonstrating the strong commitment and growing interest of Australian exporters in expanding their presence in the UAE market.
Watson also noted that MLA operates across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets and the wider Middle East, including Türkiye, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan, while also expanding into the Indian subcontinent and maintaining a presence in the UK and Europe. He stressed that Australia is one of the few countries with advanced production capabilities and global standards that allow exports to over 100 markets worldwide.
Looking ahead to 2026, Watson said the focus will be on enhancing value and increasing demand for premium meat products, highlighting that the UAE with its thriving tourism sector, upscale dining, and world-class hotels offers an ideal environment for continued growth in Australian meat consumption.
