- New Australian-UAE tariff reductions enhance access to high-quality, Halal-certified Australian beef and lamb, supporting the UAE’s food security goals
- Australian Prime Minister visits the UAE to officiate the Australia–UAE CEPA agreement and view premium Australian beef products at Lulu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi
- MLA Managing Director Michael Crowley visits UAE retailers and importers as A-UAE CEPA takes effect
- In 2024, Australian beef volumes to MENA rose by nearly 30% year-on-year, with the UAE among the fastest-growing markets
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), through its global brand Aussie Beef & Lamb, has strengthened its longstanding partnership with the United Arab Emirates following the implementation of the Australia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 1 October 2025.
Building on over five decades of trade in the Middle East since MLA established its first office in MENA 50 years ago, the agreement introduces immediate tariff reductions on Australian red meat exports, including a 5% cut on frozen products.
This move supports the UAE’s growing demand for premium, Halal-certified protein while advancing shared goals around resilient and diversified food supply chains.
During his recent visit to the UAE, Michael Crowley, Managing Director of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), said: “It’s been a privilege to connect with our partners in the UAE and see Australian beef and lamb featured across leading supermarkets and restaurants. The UAE has long been one of our most valued markets, and with the CEPA agreement now in place, we are entering a new phase of growth that will further strengthen trade, expand market access, and deliver greater value and choice for consumers, retailers and food service providers across the Emirates.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the UAE on 29th September to officiate the implementation of the landmark A–UAE CEPA agreement. During his visit, he met with senior representatives from the UAE’s retail sector and toured Lulu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi, where he viewed the wide range of premium Australian red-meat products available in-store. His visit underscored the strength of bilateral relations and Australia’s ongoing role in supporting the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.
Following high-level engagements led by the Prime Minister, MLA Managing Director Michael Crowley and Andrew Cox, General Manager, International Markets, met with leading importers and retailers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to explore market opportunities and highlight premium Australian beef and lamb products in retail stores.
Their visit reinforced MLA’s ongoing commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality, Halal-certified red meat and supporting the UAE’s robust food-safety framework.
Australia remains one of the world’s largest exporters of red meat and a leading supplier to the Middle East. In 2024, Australia exported 15,000 tonnes of beef and 25,000 tonnes of lamb to MENA, ranking third in lamb exports and 11th in beef by volume.
The UAE is Australia’s largest beef market in the Middle East and the fourth-largest market for sheep meat, making sheep meat Australia’s second-largest agricultural export to the UAE, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Australian red meat is highly regarded in the UAE for its premium quality, consistency, and food safety, with strong visibility across leading retail outlets and Michelin-starred restaurants such as 11 Woodfire, recently recognised among the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants.
Australia is one of the few nations with the capability to export red meat to over 100 international markets, a testament to the industry’s world-class standards and globally trusted reputation. This is made possible by Australia’s robust integrity systems—including the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), Livestock Production Assurance (LPA), and National Vendor Declaration (NVD), which ensure full traceability from paddock to plate.
Coupled with reliable chilled and frozen supply chains and extended shelf life, Australian beef and lamb are exceptionally well-positioned to meet the growing demands of the UAE’s dynamic food, retail, and hospitality sectors.
As CEPA marks a new chapter of collaboration between the UAE and Australia, MLA, through Aussie Beef & Lamb, continues to champion Australian red meat across the UAE, highlighting its heritage, quality, and enduring commitment to supporting the nation’s food security and vibrant culinary scene.
