Australian Meat Exports To UAE Reach AED 800 Million In 2025

Australian meat exports are gaining momentum in Gulf markets, with the United Arab Emirates alone importing about AED800 million worth of Australian meat in 2025. Shipments to the wider Middle East and North Africa climbed to roughly AED5.5 billion, underscoring rising demand across regional food, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Within that performance, the UAE stands out as a strategic destination for Australian red meat, according to Darren Watson, Regional Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Meat & Livestock Australia. Watson spoke to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the opening day of Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, highlighting the country’s growing importance for exporters.

Watson said exports to the UAE reached 316 million Australian dollars, around AED800 million, in 2025. This compared with 236 million Australian dollars in 2024, showing a clear year-on-year increase. During the same period, Australian red meat exports to the Middle East and North Africa totalled 2.2 billion Australian dollars, reflecting strong regional purchasing activity.

Key figures for trade flows and industry investment are shown below, giving an overview of the scale and direction of Australian meat exports into Gulf and neighbouring markets.

Meat & Livestock Australia is described by Watson as one of the world’s leading organisations in research, development and marketing. The organisation invests around 320 million Australian dollars each year on behalf of beef, sheep and goat producers. The funding aims to support innovation, open additional markets and strengthen global demand for Australian red meat.

Gulfood 2026 is being used by exporters as a key platform. Watson noted that 32 Australian red meat exporting companies are exhibiting, with a combined stand area of about 720 square metres. The space is double that of the previous edition, signalling a stronger Australian presence and interest in expanding business within the UAE market.

Watson added that Meat & Livestock Australia operates across Gulf Cooperation Council countries and wider Middle East markets, including Türkiye, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan. Activities also cover expansion in the Indian subcontinent, with an established presence in the United Kingdom and Europe, helping Australian producers access more than 100 export destinations worldwide.

Looking towards 2026, Watson said the priority will be to increase added value and demand for higher-quality meat products. The UAE’s tourism sector, premium dining scene and world-class hotels are expected to support this direction, providing an environment that sustains long-term growth in demand for Australian meat across both retail and foodservice channels.

With inputs from WAM