Iraq to buy $40M of New Zealand meat

Press, 6 September 1980, Page 22

Iraq to buy $40M of New Zealand meat

PA Wellington A new lamb export deal wth Iraq is expected to earn more than $4O million for New Zealand. Under an agreement expected to be completed this month, Iraq is likely to take about 21,000 tonnes of lamb next year. It is likely to take more than that in subsequent years, according to the meat exporter, W. and R. Fletcher, which is negotiating the deal. “They are going to have a continuing need for lamb,” said Fletcher’s assistant general manager (Mr T. Jones). “Their standard of living is progressively increasing with their oil

revenues and they are wanting to buy more meat. We cannot see anything but better markets in Hie future.” Ulis will be the second big lamb export deal to be . signed with Iraq recently. Earlier this month Fletcher’s announced the completion of an agreement to send 7500 tonnes of lamb by the end of this year. The new deal covers trade for the next calendar year. This year Fletcher’s sent about 17,000 tonnes, worth about $35 million. The Middle East will take nearly 100,000 tonnes of lamb this year, a big part of the 360,000 tonnes processed for export. Iran has promised to take

47,000 tonnes next year. The Middle East has provided a big outlet for lamb when the important United Kingdom market is under pressure. About 175,000 tonnes of lamb will be sent to Britain this year. All the freezing companies now offer facilities for the halal method of killing, an across-the-throat cut required by Muslim law. Iraq’s requirement for the killing procedure is not as stringent as Iran’s — which insists on Iranian slaughtermen doing the cut or supervising it — and there will be no problem meeting its needs, according to Mr Jones.