The Middle East's demand for sheep meat is projected to rise by approximately 2.3% from 2023 to 2027, spurred by population growth, tourism, and post-pandemic recovery. The region, which heavily depends on imports due to low local production, may face supply disruptions due to recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, affecting Australian exports, the largest source. Despite these challenges, imports are expected to grow by around 4% in 2024, especially in the first half of the year when domestic supplies are limited.