Big sheepmeat market seen in Africa, M.E.

Press, 28 April 1981, Page 13

Big sheepmeat market seen in Africa, M.E.

PA Wellington Big export markets for lamb and mutton will develop in Middle East and African countries, says a meat industry delegation which visited Algeria. Morocco. Tunisia. Syria. Nigeria, Egypt, and Jordan. The delegation presented a report on potential markets and export difficulties to the Meat Board and the Meat Exporters’ Council.

The seven countries are expected to import more than 175.000 tonnes of meat during 1981. Of this, an increasing share is expected for lamb and mutton. Demand for meat was outstripping domestic production in all these countries, the report said, and there was little prospect of local supplies being available in the volume needed.

The main competition to .' New Zealand meat was found by the delegation to be the E.E.C.-subsidised beef exports. Price is the key factor

and if the E.E.C. continues to subsidise its exports of intervention beef stocks at present levels, it will be difficult for New Zealand to develop a continuity in trade in markets such as Egypt and Morocco. Apart from price competition. the delegation noted that other difficulties were caused by the terms and conditions of tenders. These include almost prohibitive performance bonds requiring the seller to place on deposit up to 20 per cent of the value of the contract, limited cold storage facilities, and product specifications which are not suited to the New Zealand production system. The conditions reflected a concern as to quality similar to those expressed by Iran in the early period of trade, said the report. The delegation also recommended increasing contact between New Zealand and countries offering the greatest potential.