Australian sheepmeat exports to the Middle East were lower than last year during September, following the general trend of lower shipments globally, Meat and Livestock Australia has reported.

Lamb exports to Middle Eastern markets declined 4 percent to 5876 tonnes, with the largest change a 26pc drop to Jordan, to 1301 tonnes. Shipments to Kuwait were also lower, while Qatar with 1171 tonnes, Saudi Arabia at 477 tonnes and the UAE at 1615 tonnes were all higher than last year.

Mutton shipments were lower to most markets compared with last year. Shipments to Saudi Arabia – Australia’s largest individual market for mutton – were down 29pc to 1082 tonnes, and the UAE tonnage slipped 17pc to 703 tonnes. The largest market to record an increase in trade was Oman, with a 60pc jump, to 733 tonnes.

Source: Meat and Livestock Australia