Demand for Wagyu beef has grown rapidly across the Middle East in recent years, including in Saudi Arabia, where premium restaurants and hospitality venues increasingly feature Wagyu dishes on their menus.
Originally developed in Japan, Wagyu cattle are known worldwide for producing beef with exceptional marbling, tenderness, and flavour. This distinctive quality has made Wagyu one of the most sought-after premium beef products globally.
While Japan remains the birthplace of Wagyu cattle, countries such as Australia, the United States and several Middle Eastern nations have developed their own Wagyu breeding programs to meet rising global demand.
Rising Wagyu Demand in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s food and hospitality sector has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. With more luxury hotels, international restaurants and tourism developments emerging under Saudi Vision 2030, demand for premium food products has increased.
Wagyu beef has become a popular feature in high-end steakhouses and restaurants across the Kingdom, often imported from international suppliers or produced locally through Wagyu breeding programs.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia continues to invest in food security and agricultural development, encouraging the import of high-quality livestock genetics that can help improve domestic beef production.
Middle East Imports of Wagyu Cattle
To support premium beef production, several countries in the region import Wagyu breeding cattle and genetics from international suppliers.
Australia has become one of the world’s largest Wagyu producers outside Japan, with extensive breeding programs combining traditional Japanese bloodlines with modern cattle production systems.
According to the Australian Wagyu Association, Australia is now the largest exporter of Wagyu beef in the world, with boxed production estimated at around AUD $2 billion in 2023. Approximately 80% of Australian Wagyu beef is exported to more than 40 countries.
A recent example highlighting the growing regional demand occurred when 222 Wagyu cattle were exported from Melbourne Avalon Airport to the Gulf marking the largest Wagyu livestock air export from Australia to date.
The shipment was coordinated by Australia’s Livestock Exporters, an Australian livestock export company that supplies breeding cattle to international markets including the Middle East and Asia.
Such shipments demonstrate how global livestock trade is helping countries in the region develop premium beef production and improve cattle genetics.
Why Australian Wagyu Is Popular in the Middle East
Australian Wagyu cattle are particularly well suited to Middle Eastern markets for several reasons.
First, Australia has developed one of the most established Wagyu industries outside Japan, with strong breeding programs and strict livestock health standards.
Second, Australian cattle are known for their ability to adapt to warmer climates, making them suitable for regions with similar environmental conditions.
Finally, Australia has long been a trusted supplier of livestock and agricultural products to many Middle Eastern countries.
The Future of Wagyu in the Region
As demand for premium beef continues to grow across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region, Wagyu production and imports are expected to expand further.
Luxury dining, tourism development and food security initiatives are all contributing to increased interest in high-quality cattle genetics and premium beef production.
With global suppliers and regional producers working together, Wagyu cattle are likely to play an increasingly important role in the Middle East’s evolving food and agriculture sector.
