The Albanese Labor Government continues to support the Australian sheep industry seize new trade opportunities, with $3.6 million in grants to pave the way for farmers, particularly in Western Australia, to supply the rapidly growing global demand for sheepmeat.
Twelve projects under the $27 million Enhancing Market Demand program will support diversifying exports of Australian agricultural and food products, particularly to the Middle East and North Africa region.
This includes focusing on increasing demand and sales of sheepmeat at home and abroad as the phase out of live sheep exports by sea progresses, ensuring Australian farmers benefit from the trade of high-quality and ethically produced food and fibre.
Recipients include industry peak bodies such as Australian Meat Industry Council and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation Ltd; agricultural consultants, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of WA and research organisations such as Charles Sturt University, University of Technology Sydney and Griffith University.
These organisations will work with Australian sheep, agriculture, food and fibre industries on active and emerging market opportunities, and will assist farmers, producers and exporters to build stronger business-to-business relationships.
The live sheep export by sea industry was worth $411 million in 2002-03 and declined to $50 million in 2024-25. Sheep meat exports grew to be worth $5.7 billion in 2024-25.
The funding is part of the Australian Government's almost $140 million transition assistance package to help the Australian sheep industry phase out live sheep exports by sea.
