Red meat exports hit new records

AUSTRALIA’S red meat exports hit an all-time high in 2024, with Meat and Live stock Australia (MLA) reporting record breaking figures across beef, lamb, mutton and goat meat. 

MLA said the record high capacity and numbers of cattle on feed translated into strong turnoff figures over 2024, leading to strong supply and high exports. 

According to the report, Australia exported 2.24 million tonnes of red meat to 104 countries, marking the largest volume ever exported. 

High volumes were exported across all red meat categories including 1.34 million tonnes of beef, 359,229 tonnes of lamb, 255,098 tonnes of mutton and 51,489 tonnes of goatmeat. 

MLA Global Supply Analyst Tim Jackson said the latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reflected Australia’s strong reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality red meat, with overseas demand than the previous record of 1.29 million tonnes set in 2014. 

The strongest growth was seen in the United States, where exports lifted 60 per cent to 394,716 tonnes, and Southeast Asia, where exports lifted 33 per cent to 177,684 tonnes. 

Grainfed beef exports also broke records with 375,195 tonnes shipped overseas. 

Lamb exports grew by 10 per cent reaching 359,299 tonnes. 

The United States was again the largest market for lamb at remaining strong as domestic supply rose. 

“In 2024, the cattle herd and sheep flock both reached maturity, and slaughter lifted substantially,” Mr Jackson said. 

“At the same time, the global supply landscape was favourable for Australia, with beef exports from the United States easing as the American cattle herd reached a 72-year low following years of drought.” 

A significant portion of Australia’s exports went to countries with which it has free trade agreements, including 95 per cent of its beef exports. 

The United States was the top market for beef, lamb, and goatmeat, while China was the largest importer of mutton. 

Beef exports increased 22 per cent increase from 2023 and were 4 per cent higher 85,133 tonnes, followed by China at 53,478 tonnes and the United Arab Emirates at 27,268 tonnes. 

Exports to the United Kingdom jumped by 44 per cent following the implementation of the Australian-United Kingdom free trade agreement. 

Mutton exports saw a 22 per cent increase, reaching 255,098 tonnes, with China being the largest importer. 

Overall, sheepmeat exports rose 15 per cent from 2023 to 614,396 tonnes, which is the highest sheepmeat export figure from any single country on record. Finally, exports of goatmeat totalled 51,489 tonnes, the highest figure on record and a 44 per cent increase com pared to the previous record set in 2014.