1000 tonnes of premium Australian lamb is wheels up

More than 1000 tonnes of lamb from producers across New South Wales and Victoria will soon be on its way into key export markets, with the Morrison-McCormack Government helping to secure 25 flights under the $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism.

From today, Australian exporters will pack two Emirates freight flights a week with 42-tonnes of lamb, valued at around $430,000 per flight, to markets in Dubai, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. An additional nine Etihad freight flights will also head to Abu Dhabi.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said every extra freight flight full of high-quality lamb would help to save Australian jobs and keep businesses open.

“Reductions in commercial passenger flights have made it hard for our lamb producers to get their products overseas. We’re helping to reduce export barriers through restoring freight access and routes,” Minister Birmingham said.

“This is about ensuring our farmers can go about their business with confidence and continue to employ Australians, knowing they will still be able to sell their products around the world.

“With demand for Australian lamb still strong, we need to make sure our farmers can continue to get their products to their overseas customers so they don’t go looking elsewhere.”

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said this was another major win for Australian lamb producers who have been struggling to secure freight space since the COVID-19 crisis started.

“Getting Australian lamb out of the paddock and into our key markets like the Middle East is vital to helping secure regional jobs and generate extra export dollars,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Keeping our farmers connected with international customers will help them keep their operations going so they can keep producing a top quality export product.

“Australia produces some of the best lamb there is and we want to make sure it can continue to be enjoyed around the world.”

Since the International Freight Assistance Mechanism was announced in early April, the Morrison-McCormack Government has helped to secure 79 flights to markets in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and the Middle East, with returning flights have brought back essential medical equipment including ventilators, gloves and material to produce face masks.

The initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities and industry sectors that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

For more information, please see the Fact Sheet [PDF] or go to www.austrade.gov.au/ifam.