There is an ever-growing demand for halal food products given the steady growth of Muslim population across the world. The halal market is currently worth 16 percent of the entire global food industry and is predicted to rise to 20 percent in the near future.
Customers do not have to look very far in the Gulf region to find Australian meat gracing retail shelves. As a nation, Australia has been sending their best meat products to the region for decades. Saudi Arabia specifically imports 17 percent of its beef and 62 percent of its sheep meat from Australia.
Australia, with a local Muslim population of about half a million, has become a world leader in the processing and preparation of halal meat products. The continent is a long trusted supplier of halal beef and lamb to over 100 countries in the world.
Mark Morley, senior trade commissioner of Austrade, says: “Saudi Arabia is conscious of the need to provide its citizens with clean, fresh and safe meat products. The Kingdom can trust Australia’s halal certification. Australia has one of the most robust and traceable food certification standards in the world.
“We are free of many exotic diseases that are common in other parts of the world. As an isolated island, we have one of the strictest policies for quarantine, which means that Saudi citizens can trust us when we say ‘this meat is halal.’”
Australia’s halal meat enjoys a reputation for excellence and strict adherence to Shariah, which states how the animal must be treated during its whole life and not just during slaughter. It emphasizes zero tolerance of animal abuse and mistreatment, and stipulates that animals must be provided with enough space to roam, clean water, food and fresh air.
Master Chef Tarek, an expert in food imports, says: "During my last visit to Australia, I was amazed by the strict standards of the Australian farms and slaughter houses. Every halal guideline is carefully adhered to and the halal slaughter is supervised and certified by Islamic organizations and societies. You can confidently enjoy your food knowing that that when you buy Australian meat, you are getting clean, safe and 100 percent guaranteed halal meat."
The Muslim market is very important to Australian meat companies, and each company has documented procedures to ensure halal slaughtering and processing requirements are implemented at all stages of production.

Source: Arab News