Since Russia banned imports of Australian kangaroo meat in 2008, the industry has struggled to regain traction.
However, the potential for the meat in Asia, as well as expanding demand domestically suggests the outlook for roo meat could soon rediscover some of its bounce.
A decade ago, when Russia was the primary market for kangaroo meat and products, Australia exported 9500 tonnes of meat and 1.7 million kangaroo skins a year.
Volumes are now less than half that, said Kangaroo Industry Association Australia executive officer John Kelly, Launceston, Tasmania.
He said the loss of Russia as a customer had delivered a huge blow.
“When we had access to Russia in 2008 the industry was a lot bigger. We harvested twice the number than what we are currently harvesting,” he said.
Mr Kelly said the association was working to open new export avenues and suggested Asia as a potential destination for Australian meat.
“There are some promising discussions which (if successful) will change the face of the industry,” he said.
“The unfortunate thing was we lost (Russia) before we set up the new markets.
Despite slow progress on the export front, demand for kangaroo meat had steadily grown in popularity domestically.
“The domestic market has been growing steadily for a decade, but it’s hard getting consumers to convert (to kangaroo meat) from other meats.”
Metropolitan centres were the main areas experiencing the growth, said Woolworths spokesman Russell Mahoney.
“Growth in the past few years has been substantial and sales are strongest in South Australia from where the meat is sourced, and in metropolitan areas elsewhere,” Mr Mahoney said.
“We know gyms and personal trainers often recommend kangaroo meat as a very lean, healthy source of protein and this adds to its popularity in our city stores.”
Mr Mahoney said the supermarket chain sold a range of kangaroo meat products, supplied by Macro meats in South Australia.
These products included mince, burgers, steaks, sausages, fillets, diced meat and most recently
kebabs.
Coles supermarkets had also seen demand grow and a spokesman said this had been particularly noticeable since 2007.
“Demand for kangaroo meat has grown substantially, primarily due to changing consumer trends and the rise in consumption by health conscious customers who perceive it as lean and high in protein,” the Coles spokesman said.
Coles stocks a range of kangaroo steaks, burger patties, fillets, meatballs, sausages and mince.
Rebecca Sharpe
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
