Australia’s Kangaroo Meat Exports Fail Safety Tests, Linked to Greyhound Racing Industry
Event summary
- Australia’s kangaroo meat industry exported meat failing EU food safety tests, with bacterial contamination levels 10 times the acceptable threshold in 2025.
- Failed meat was downgraded and sold domestically, including for pet food, with no corrective action taken.
- Investigation reveals a commercial link between the kangaroo meat industry and Australia’s greyhound racing industry, with Ray Borda identified as the key figure.
- Kangaroo meat exports have fallen 86% since their peak, and skin prices have collapsed 98% due to reduced demand from major athletic brands.
- The industry’s claimed economic significance of $150M–$200M is contradicted by Australian government data showing total meat export value of just $10.9M AUD in 2025.
The big picture
The investigation highlights significant food safety failures in Australia’s kangaroo meat industry, which has seen a dramatic decline in exports and skin prices due to reduced demand from major athletic brands. The industry’s economic claims are contradicted by government data, and the revelation of its link to the greyhound racing industry adds to its reputational risks. The strategic anomaly lies in the industry’s continued operation despite failing safety standards and economic viability.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- Whether the U.S. FDA, EU, and Canada will declare kangaroo meat unfit for sale following the investigation's findings.
- Market Response
- The pace at which major supermarket chains and pet food retailers discontinue kangaroo meat products.
- Industry Viability
- How Belgium and Vietnam will respond to calls to end or reverse kangaroo meat import arrangements.