Dubai: Australian meat exports to the Middle East and North Africa region surged last year to just under 185,000 tonnes.

Australian beef and lamb exports to the region reached record highs in 2013, according to Meat and Livestock Australia, with 61,793 tonnes of beef and 61,250 tonnes of lamb exported. Beef and lamb exports respectively rose 89 per cent and 12 per cent.

The UAE accounted for 23 per cent of the Australian red meat exports to the region.