Australia: Agreement eliminates tariff on sheep meat in UAE

TARIFFS on sheep meat and other agricultural exports entering the United Arab Emirates will be eliminated under the Australia – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed last week. The signing on Wednesday came after it was announced that negotiations between the parties had concluded on September 17. The agreement will cut tariffs on more than 99 percent of Australian exports to UAE including grains, oilseeds, meat, dairy, nuts, horticulture and honey. It is estimated Australian farmers and producers will benefit from an estimated $50 million annually in tariff savings alone. Sheep meat was Australia’s second largest agriculture export to the UAE valued at $270M annually. Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said UAE was Australia’s largest market in the Middle East with the “two-way trade valued at $9.9 billion in 2023”. “This is a great deal for Australian farmers and producers – over 99 percent of Australian products will enter the UAE ...