JEDDAH – Australia's red meat exports to the Middle East in May totaled 16,492 tons (shipped weight), a 46 percent increase year-on-year and 7 percent above the previous record set in April 2013, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) said. Beef exports totaled 6226 tons in May, up 166 percent year-on-year, while lamb shipments reached 5955 tons, up 37 percent. The growth in beef exports has been driven by a surge in shipments to Saudi Arabia, with exports totaling 3733 tons in May, or 61 percent of total monthly beef exports to the region. A Saudi Arabian ban on Brazilian beef in late 2012 has been the catalyst for the growth, according to MLA. Brazil exported 33,396 tons of beef to Saudi Arabia in 2012, with its absence providing opportunities for Australian beef to gain market share. Exports of beef to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan, Australia's largest and second largest beef markets in the Middle East during 2012, respectively, have slowed somewhat in 2013, as Brazilian product is reportedly diverted to these markets. Record lamb shipments in May were spurred by strong growth to the UAE with 1409 tons, a 35 percent increase year-on-year, Jordan with 1961 tons, a 48 percent increase, and Bahrain with 1185 tons, up from 50 tons in May 2012. The increase is dramatic given that 10 years ago in May 2003, Australian red meat exports to the region totaled 3319 tons. Beef exports were a mere 301 tons compared to the 6226 tons of beef shipped in May this year. — SG
