Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Market access and barriers to trade

When it comes to trade, it is essential to understand the conditions and criteria that affect the flow of animal and crop commodities.

Table 1 shows whether the UK has an export health certificate in place to export meat and dairy products to MENA countries.

Table 2 displays the average import tariff applied on red meat in selected MENA countries.

Table 1. Export health certificates in place for UK exports to MENA

Yes = EHC in place  No = No EHC

*at limited times; **heat treated

Table 2. Average import tariffs for red meat in selected MENA countries (%)

Averaged tariff rates are expressed as % of price, except where stated

Source: World Trade Organization and UK government

The key opportunities for beef and lamb are in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Jordan, due to a combination of relatively low tariffs and high demand.

Halal export certificates and export health certificates (EHCs) are required for livestock exports in the region. The UK has only secured these for lamb in the Gulf region.

The Gulf region is the second-largest export market for UK lamb producers. However, UK product has a relatively low shelf life compared to the main competitors, New Zealand and Australia, which have the ability to deliver “deep chill shipping”.

Tariffs vary widely across the MENA region. The main markets in the Gulf region have relatively low tariff rates (at 0–5% for frozen and zero for fresh beef and lamb), whereas they are relatively high in Morocco (200% for frozen product).

Tariffs are not the main trade barrier in this growing market: it is the halal certification requirements, particularly for beef.

Halal certification requirements differ between countries in the MENA region. The right certification is key to accessing halal markets around the globe - yet not all certifications are equal. Though not all MENA countries legally require certification, consumer preference has meant that it is often necessary for commercial success.

In certain Gulf countries, the UK lacks beef EHCs due to the historical outbreak of BSE.

Opportunities for pork are limited due to low consumption in the region, as well as a lack of EHCs and relatively high tariffs. A rise in expat populations and tourism in the Gulf region, however, has encouraged imports for use in hospitality, and pork’s availability is increasing in selected outlets.

Halal dairy certification is not mandatory for all MENA countries, but it is highly recommended.

Dairy exports to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries must meet stringent halal requirements, particularly where products contain animal-derived ingredients.

Saudi Arabia enforces GSO 2055-2, and other member states – including Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE – follow similar standards.

UK exporters are advised to secure certification from recognised bodies such as the Halal Food Authority (HFA), Halal Certification Europe (HCE) and Halal Certification Organisation (HCO). These certifiers ensure full compliance across sourcing, processing and logistics.

Halal certification not only facilitates regulatory approval but also strengthens consumer confidence and market competitiveness in this rapidly expanding sector. Watch the Halal dairy exports webinar on YouTube to navigate the halal regulations in individual export destinations.

Tariffs for dairy vary, from 100% for milk and cream in Morocco to 5% for powders, cheese and butter in the Gulf region (Table 3).

The key opportunities for dairy are in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, where tariffs are relatively low and demand is high and growing.

Despite this, regulations restrict access. For example, in Saudi Arabia, dairy imports must be registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. For the UAE market, Nutri-Mark labelling is required as of October 2025.

Oman and Qatar are growing markets, but they remain small. With no immediate resolution to short shelf life, air freight is necessary from the UK; the added cost is passed onto the consumer, which affects demand.  

Table 3. Average import tariffs for dairy products in selected MENA countries (%)

Averaged tariff rates are expressed as % of price

Source: World Trade Organization

There are no import tariffs on wheat and barley in most of the MENA countries listed in Table 4.

Morocco has the highest import tariff on wheat and an import tariff on barley; however, the UK has a preferential agreement that allows imports for these cereals from the UK to enter Morocco mostly tariff free.

Table 4. Average import tariffs for wheat and barley in selected MENA countries

Averaged tariff rates are expressed as % of price

Source: World Trade Organization

In general, tariff rates for wheat and barley do not prohibit trade. However, non-tariff barriers, such as specific moisture requirements, pose a greater challenge.

For example, Egypt imposes no tariffs on wheat imports. However, it requires milling wheat with a maximum moisture content of 14%. Typically, the moisture content of UK milling wheat is higher than this. It would take considerable investment in drying facilities at UK ports to obtain the required moisture content for exports.

The UK does export wheat and barley to the MENA region at a maximum moisture content of 14%, which Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya accept.

Existing major trade deals (covering red meat and dairy) involving MENA countries that could serve as competition for the UK include:

• European Free Trade Association–GCC FTA - The European Free Trade Association States signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the GCC on 22 June 2009. The agreement entered into force on 1 July 2014

• New Zealand–GCC FTA - New Zealand and the GCC concluded negotiations on the GCC FTA on 31 October 2024

• United States Framework Agreement - The 2012 GCC-USA framework encompasses a range of agreements and initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation and collaboration

The GCC also has arrangements between its member states, as well as other countries, such as Singapore and Peru, but these pose less competition to the UK

Other major trade deals being negotiated that have potential to impact trade flows:

• UK–GCC - The UK and GCC are in the final stages of negotiating an FTA, which was first launched in June 2022

• Australia–GCC - FTA negotiations with the GCC commenced in July 2007. The last of four rounds of negotiations occurred in June 2009. At the GCC Leader’s Summit in January 2021, the GCC renewed its interest in pursuing an FTA with Australia (and other key countries) as a priority market

Routes to market (Coming soon)