Meat on the move

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One of the biggest challenges suppliers face is maintaining meat at the right temperature at all stages of the process.

The Middle Eastern meat market is booming with importers from Australia, South Africa and the US reporting huge growth margins in meat export to the region in 2007.

With population growth, tourism and the increased availability of Halal compliant products, suppliers expect that meat sales to the UAE will increase in the next few years.

As a result of these market trends, quality assurance, food safety and educating food handlers about the correct procedures for dealing with meat products have become important issues.

The Middle East region continues to be an important market for the Australian meat industry according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) who reported for fiscal year 2006-07 new records for sheep meat exports to the region with an increase of 53% in 2007. MLA reported a growth of 26% in meat sales to the UAE overall with Australian beef becoming more popular in the major hotels and restaurant sector.

What is exciting for Australia is that the Middle East has become a very significant market for the Australian red meat industry," explains MLA Middle East and Africa technical manager Rodney Sims.

The UAE is now second only to the US for meat products from Australia with MLA figures indicating more than 93,000 tonnes of beef, lamb and mutton exported to the region in 2007.

The US Department for Agriculture also reported an increase in meat sales to the Middle East, as David Williams, regional director of the Agricultural Trade Office at the US Consulate Dubai explains.

"In October 2007, exports to the Middle East increased by 11%, valued at AED 334 million (US $91.4 million)," he says.

Safe Production

Meat production is a rigorously monitored process by all facets of the supply chain and is often overseen by government agencies. This is to ensure quality of product but also to maintain food safety protocols.

"The number one key issue in the market today is food safety," explains Sims.

"All our food safety and quality assurance systems are monitored by the Australian Government; strict quarantine, national livestock traceability and the assurance of federally regulated inspection all go towards maintaining our reputation worldwide as a safe supplier of healthy meat.

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