Saudi Arabia lifts 21-year ban on South African meat

The Saudi Arabian Food and Drug Authority has announced it is to lift a ban on meat imports from South Africa, opening up opportunities for local meat producers in a sizeable market.

Freight News reports that Saudi officials inspected local abattoirs and feedlots in June this year to ensure that meat products complied with Saudi Arabian market access protocols and halaal certification.

The ban was imposed after the local foot-and-mouth disease outbreak 21 years ago.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said South African meat producers were now allowed to participate in a huge, global halaal meat industry. He said a task team had been formed to facilitate access for meat and red meat products from South Africa into Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi decision is good news for South African poultry producers, who hope to export chicken products to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi officials have been invited to inspect South Africa’s export-oriented poultry operations and the visit is expected to take place later this year.