Iran reopens for NZ meat after 20-year gap

The resumption in lamb shipments to Iran promises to be the start of bigger trade, says Federated Farmers. Photo / Michael Craig

Federated Farmers says the reopening of the meat trade to Iran after a 20-year hiatus is like opening a new market for New Zealand's meat exporters.

Market access to Iran effectively ceased in 1998 as a result of international sanctions.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, however, cleared the way for resumption of trade when he concluded a veterinary agreement with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran in February.

The resumption in lamb shipments was recognition of a past relationship with Iran, and there was great potential, said Federated Farmers' meat and fibre chair Rick Powdrell.

"After what is effectively 20 years, it's akin to opening up a new market for our meat exporters," Powdrell said.

"While the first export of lamb is around a modest 60 tonnes of frozen cuts, it promises to be [the] start of bigger trade in the future."

New Zealand meat exports to Iran failed to pick up following the lifting of sanctions last year because of Iranian restrictions for one of its vets and a mullah to be present at the time of processing, while New Zealand meat exporters rely on halal standards overseen by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The Iranian requirement for an official to oversee the processing of all product exported to Iran was difficult for New Zealand meat processors to comply with because they divide animals into a range of cuts for distribution to specific global markets.

Meat is New Zealand's second-largest commodity export after dairy, and was worth $5.92 billion in 2016.