New Zealand meat processor Silver Fern Farms has airfreighted 90 tonnes of chilled lamb and beef from Auckland to Abu Dhabi on a single customer-chartered flight, in a move aimed at meeting Middle East demand amid disruption to regional supply chains, the company said in a statement on social media.

The shipment lands as the United Arab Emirates pushes to diversify food supply lines, with the country importing close to 90% of what it consumes and exposed to disruptions ranging from Red Sea shipping attacks to the recent regional conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. Gulf states have moved to broaden sourcing across Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Africa to reduce reliance on any single supplier or transport route.

The chartered aircraft operated from Auckland to Abu Dhabi with end-to-end cold chain compliance. The product will supply Al Tayeb, a division of Emirati retail giant Lulu Group and one of the leading red meat distributors in the Middle East.

Silver Fern Farms said it had completed smaller-scale airfreight shipments before but filling an entire aircraft was unique for the company.

"Our customers rely on us to deliver consistently, particularly during periods of uncertainty. This is about protecting trust, maintaining partnerships, and ensuring consumers in the Middle East continue to access high-quality New Zealand lamb and beef," Silver Fern Farms said in a statement.

The operation was planned and executed by global logistics provider Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, with Auckland Airport facilitating the airside process. Strict temperature control was maintained from departure to arrival.

"By innovating and working closely with our supply chain partner Al Tayeb, we are continuing to meet our commitments to this important market," the company said.

Silver Fern Farms is one of New Zealand's largest red meat processors and exporters, with the Middle East a long-standing market for premium chilled lamb and beef. The Gulf has emerged as a growing destination for New Zealand red meat as Asian markets, particularly China, have softened in recent years.

The UAE has been building strategic food reserves and investing in agricultural ventures abroad as part of a national food security strategy under Vision 2031, which targets ranking among the world's most food-secure countries.