JOHANNESBURG - Saudi Arabia has officially opened its doors to South African red meat exports.
The Kingdom has a vast consumption base of over 2 million tons of red meat, while South Africa only produces around 700,000 tons of red meat annually.
The Red Meat Industry Services says Saudi Arabia is also a keen market for so-called prime and high-value cuts such as fillet, rump and sirloin.
CEO Dewald Olivier says this could impact on prices back home, but overall it will have a stabilising impact on the industry.
South Africa currently exports to 27 countries, but volumes are low with only 4 percent of red meat being exported.