A Russian ban on kangaroo meat, to come into effect August 1, has caused a shake-up of the fledgling industry with 10 percent of its full time workforce already shed.
Although the sector is currently working with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to have the ban overturned, meat farmers met earlier this week to discuss how they could diversify, should Russia refuse kangaroo products.
The industry is looking at developing markets such as Asia, as well as selling other kangaroo meat products like salami or jerky.
CEO of Safe Food Queensland Barbara Wilson says the industry could also look into boosting local consumption: “Lifting domestic consumption would make a significant improvement in the future fortunes of the industry.”
Russia buys 70 percent of Australia’s production of kangaroo meat, so the quarantine restrictions come as a huge blow to the $270 million sector.
