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Posted by Allen Newton
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6 February, 2026
THE GROWING Persian Gulf trade with Western Australia, worth $955.4 million in 2024-25, led by grain and meat exports, will be the focus of a trade mission to the region this week.
The mission to build WA primary industries exports will be led by the state’s agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis and will take in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
It will pursue new opportunities to drive WA's primary industries in these key markets to discuss trade opportunities for WA sheep meat, beef, seafood, fresh produce, and other agrifood products.
A state government media release said the Gulf region is a growth market for WA agrifood products.
The minister will meet with retail, wholesale and hospitality business leaders, and government officials.
The Gulf market growth has been spurred by the new Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, daily direct flights to the region, and rising incomes, according to the release.
“WA has an enviable reputation in the Gulf as a reliable supplier of premium quality, safe, sustainably produced products that satisfy discerning customer requirements,” it said.
“A delegation of seven WA agrifood businesses have joined the mission to gain insight into the Gulf market and forge commercial connections, facilitated by Invest and Trade WA's India-Gulf office, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“The Cook Government continues to cultivate opportunities in the Gulf via regional trade exhibitions and hosting inbound activities, such as the recent Taste WA buyers mission in October 2025 which involved 90 local agribusinesses.”
Jackie Jarvis said the Gulf region is an important growth market for WA's primary industries, underpinned by a longstanding export relationship and a new trade agreement with the UAE that has seen nearly all agrifood tariffs removed.
"This mission will help open the door to new export opportunities for WA's premium agrifood products, supporting business expansion and communities across the state,” Ms Jarvis said.
"Building exports in the Gulf forms part of our government's priority to grow WA's red meat sector by working to unlock new opportunities internationally for our processors.
"Diversifying WA's presence in global marketplaces is an important step in future-proofing our primary industries sector and the economy."
