The company Íslenskar matvörur (Icelandic Food Products) plans to import a small amount of lamb from New Zealand after receiving an import quota, the first of its kind in Iceland, for 50 tons of lamb and goat meat.
Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
The import quota was issued in accordance with Iceland’s commitment to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
CEO of the company Helgi Einarsson says the plan is to present the meat as an alternative, but he does not intend to market the product aggressively.
Helgi says he believes there is demand for more diversity in the market, at least at certain times of the year and for certain cuts of meat, and highlights the high quality of New Zealand lamb, ruv.is reports.
“We are always saying that Icelandic lamb is the best in the world, but the Scots, for example, say the same about Scottish lamb. It will be good to have some comparison,” Helgi told Bændablaðið.
Helgi says the fact that Icelandic slaughterhouses specifically seek out the help of New Zealand butchers during the slaughtering season is proof that they are the best in the business.
“New Zealanders are the biggest producers of lamb in the world and demonstrate great professionalism. It will be good to learn from them,” he added.
Iceland has strict regulations on the import of foreign meat.
The meat will reportedly be sold at a similar price to Icelandic lamb.
ZR
