The Saudi Food and Agriculture Authority (SFDA) will increase shelf life for chilled vacuum-packed beef and sheep meat in response to Australia's submission on draft technical regulations.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said it was a valuable outcome for Australian meat producers and exporters to Saudi Arabia as it will allow them to ship their product via sea freight.
"I welcome this change, which is the result of a sustained science-based collaboration between the Australia Government, Australian industry, and the Saudi Arabian Government," Minister Littleproud said.
"This advocacy was based on scientific evidence, and noted the mutual benefits including that a longer shelf life would reduce waste and support Saudi food security.
"Australia produces the best food and fibre in the world, and we produce enough food to feed 75 million people every year. Ever-expanding and improved market access is fundamental and key to us reaching a $100 billion agriculture sector by 2030.
"We will continue to engage with the other Gulf States-United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain-to make the case for the same shelf-life requirements for red meat from Australia."
Fast Facts:
- Vacuum packed meat to Saudi Arabia was worth $79.2 million in 2020.
- Total value of red meat exports to the Gulf States was over $870 million in 2020, of which chilled red meat was worth $280.7 million.
