Southland-based meat processor Alliance Group said it was developing meat export opportunities in Iraq.
Alliance said it had just completed its first full year of exporting directly to hotels, restaurants, and catering companies in Iraq after previously shipping product through Jordan.
Exports of fully branded "Pure South'' lamb to Iraq have increased by about 35 per cent in the past year, Alliance said in a statement.
As it stands, most sheep meet that is sold in Iraq is fresh, mainly due to a lack of reliable electricity for refrigeration.
Alliance said Iraqi consumers would increasingly turn to frozen lamb as the investment in new infrastructure gathered pace.