Forecasts
Each February and August MLA publishes the Australian cattle industry projections. The report provides a comprehensive outlook on the cattle industry including forecasts for the national herd, cattle and beef supply and exports over a five year horizon.
Cattle industry projections February 2012
- Continued strong demand from an increasingly diverse range of global markets will combine with favourable seasons to drive an expansion in production and exports in 2012.
- Australian beef and veal production for 2012 is forecast to reach a record 2.197 million tonnes cwt, up 2.2%, as good seasons result in heavier than average carcase weights.
- While cattle numbers will increase, supply will remain relatively tight compared to the herd liquidating drought years of the past decade.
- Global demand for beef is expected to be sustained, if not strengthen – particularly in Asia, South America and the Middle East – while at the same time global beef prices are tracking at historically high levels. Such factors will help to dampen the impact of the high Australian dollar.
- Total beef exports are predicted to increase, driven by expansion into Russia, the Middle East and most southern Asian markets. Traditional export markets will continue to be challenging, with the exception of the US market which is forecast to improve in 2012, as high prices attract additional product, reversing almost a decade of falling Australian shipments.
- The outlook for the live cattle trade in 2012 continues to be dominated by prospects to Indonesia, with total exports currently forecast to decrease 16% in 2012.
Read the full cattle industry projections 2012
More information
Tim McRae
Phone: 1800 023 100
Email: market info@mla.com.au
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