ROO meat exports are tipped to rebound as Russia partially lifts its import ban, casting a lifeline to the struggling industry.
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Approval status was an early Christmas present for South Australian processor Macro Meats.
Russian authorities have given the Adelaide company the green light to be the sole exporter into the country which, before the ban, was the industry's largest and most valuable market.
Other operators are being inspected and hope to gain export approval.
Macro Meats managing director Ray Borda said Russian authorities audited the Adelaide processor earlier this month and their stamp of approval had given the industry a "confidence boost".
Wild boar, which Macro processes, was also approved for export.
The company has packed its first kangaroo shipments to Russia, but is holding back larger amounts until the trial exports are cleared.
"We did not want to start operations until both countries were absolutely clear on the guidelines," Mr Borda said.
"We are carrying the whole weight of the industry on our shoulders and we feel initial successful trial shipments into Russia will go a long way to getting the industry back on its feet."
Russia was the largest export market for the industry, accounting for 70 per cent of Australia's roo exports, before a snap ban in 2009 because of alleged bacterial contamination and health concerns.
Mr Borda said losing the Russian market had cost Australia up to 2000 jobs and "hundreds of millions" of export dollars.
"If handled the right way, Russia could be worth up to $100m in export revenue annually," he said.
Mr Borda expected at least 200 harvesting and processing jobs to be created in South Australia. In July, as the ban stretched into its forth year, Macro closed its Dry Creek processing plant, shedding 120 jobs.
With the main Adelaide plant at Athol Park now Russian export-approved, there is the possibility of shifting domestic production to Dry Creek.
And while prices are not at the same pre-ban levels, Mr Borda is "cautiously optimistic" the industry can recover.
"The consumer base needs encouragement to try the product again and gain confidence, and it will take a while to rebuild the market and our business," he said.
"This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we want to ensure the sustainability of our industry."
*Full report in Stock Journal, December 20 issue, 2012.
