Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), through its global brand Aussie Beef, Lamb & Goat, has concluded a highly successful presence at Gulfood 2026, where 37 Australian red meat exporters exhibited at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City Dubai.
The event followed a year in which Australian red meat and livestock exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region achieved a record A$2.2 billion in 2025, reaffirming strong demand for Australia's premium, Halal certified beef and lamb.
The Middle East and North African region continued to emerge as a premium destination for Australian beef and lamb, with chilled beef representing 84% of all Australian beef exports to the UAE and total beef export value reaching A$316 million with total sheepmeat exports value reaching A$394 million in 2025.
According to MLA's Regional Manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Darren Watson, Gulfood has always been one of the most important global platforms for the Australian red meat industry.
"Across the MENA region, demand is not only growing but becoming more discerning and premium led," Mr Watson said.
"Australian beef and lamb have remained well positioned to support this shift, offering trusted Halal assurance, consistent quality, and the reliability that partners in the region value."
"Australia's trade position was further strengthened through the Australia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which removed tariffs on Australian red meat and boosted competitiveness."
All Australian red meat remained 100% Halal certified under the Australian Government Authorised Halal Program (AGAP).
Innovation on display at Gulfood
Spanning over 720 square metres, MLA's feature Aussie Beef, Lamb & Goat stand served as both a commercial hub and an innovation precinct, bringing together Australian exporters, global buyers, government partners, and high profile visitors across the five day event.
Dedicated zones within the space highlighted Australia's grassfed and grainfed beef, premium lamb, mutton and goat, Halal assurance, and supply chain integrity, while live cooking demonstrations created a high traffic focal point throughout the show.
A major highlight was MLA's inaugural Gulfood Innovation Challenge, where five international innovators presented emerging solutions across sustainable packaging, ambient storage technologies, and nutrient dense wellness products.
The initiative brought next generation technologies to the global stage, deepened engagement with Australian exporters, and fostered direct conversations between innovators, buyers and technical specialists. It also signalled MLA's commitment to advancing industry led innovation in ways that support both commercial growth and customer expectations internationally.
MLA's stand also welcomed the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, who visited the pavilion to meet Australian exporters, speak with MLA's leadership, and observe first-hand the strong engagement between Australian industry and key trading partners.
Livestock Export Program (LEP) activity and regional engagement
The Livestock Export Program (LEP), delivered jointly by MLA and LiveCorp, played a supporting role in Australia's presence at Gulfood 2026.
The LEP in market team supported Australia's engagement throughout the show, with strong interest in both live animals and boxed Australian red meat, including constructive discussions with stakeholders from Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
While boxed Australian red meat was the main commercial focus at Gulfood 2026, the LEP also received constructive enquiries for live animals from key regional commercial operators who visited the show.
Following Gulfood, MLA Chair John Lloyd undertook a series of supply chain visits to observe the live export system in operation.
His itinerary included public livestock pens, an abattoir and a wet market on Thursday 29 January, where he witnessed the full customer process, from selecting a sheep to receiving the processed meat from the butcher.
Mr Lloyd also conducted UAE retail visits on Friday 30 January to gain further insight into consumer facing market dynamics.
Meanwhile, MLA's General Manager – International Markets, Andrew Cox, travelled to Jordan from 1–3 February alongside Darren Watson and members of the LEP in market team.
The delegation visited a feedlot holding Australian cattle and an abattoir to directly assess supply chain conditions and operational standards.
