Saudi Arabia live sheep export market makes welcome return

The return of what was once Australia's biggest live sheep export market has been welcomed by industry representatives, after a hiatus of more than a decade. The first shipment of 5000 sheep set sail from WA to Saudi Arabia in early January and numbers have continued to rise in the months since. According to Australian Live Exporters Council (ALEC) chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton, live sheep exports to that country reached 27,600-head at the end of February. He expected this figure to hit 40,000-head at the end of last month, with official data to be released in coming weeks. "Reports from Saudi industry and government officials are that all livestock have been well-received," Mr Harvey-Sutton said. "They are very happy with the quality of the consignments and will certainly look to increase numbers, as the trade continues to grow." Saudi Arabia ended shipments from Australia in 2012, with the last consignment being delivered just prior to the introduction of the ...