According to the latest report from Meat & Livestock Australia, that country has reported another record breaking year for red meat exports. The strong growth was primarily due to high demand from Saudi Arabia which banned Brazilian beef in 2012. Australian beef exports to Saudi Arabia increased four-fold to 18,944 tons and is now Australia’s biggest beef market in the Middle East. Total red meat exports to the MENA region reached 160,963 tons – up 32% from the previous year. Lamb exports were up 35% to 60,700 tons and beef exports increased 46% to 49,147 tons. The MENA region also accounted for 35% of total Australian mutton exports in 2012-13. Australian beef exports to the EU reached the highest level since 1997-98 as well, reaching 17,533 tons in part because of increased quotas.
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