French Lamb Exports to Middle East Surge by 25% in 2025Lyon, November 8, 2025 – New figures from France's National Office for Agricultural and Food Export (ONAV) reveal that French lamb exports to the Middle East have increased by 25% in the first 10 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, driven by rising demand for high-quality meat and new trade agreements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Saudi Arabia remains the top destination for French lamb, accounting for 40% of exports to the region, followed by the United Arab Emirates (25%) and Qatar (15%). The growth is attributed to several factors, including France's reputation for animal welfare, the introduction of halal certification processes that meet strict GCC standards, and competitive pricing relative to Australian and New Zealand lamb. "We've worked closely with GCC authorities to streamline our halal certification and ensure full traceability from farm to fork," said Sophie Laurent, ONAV's Middle East Director. "French lamb is now seen as a premium product in the region, particularly for religious festivals and family gatherings." In addition to raw lamb cuts, value-added products such as marinated lamb chops and lamb sausages have seen significant growth, with a 40% increase in exports of these items. To capitalize on the momentum, ONAV is organizing a trade mission to Riyadh and Dubai in January 2026, bringing together 30 French lamb producers and processors to meet with local distributors. Industry analysts predict that Middle East exports could account for 35% of France's total lamb exports by 2027, up from 28% in 2025. |
