Today, Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of red meat and livestock. The total value of Australia’s off-farm beef and sheep meat industry is A$15.6 billion (source: 2007-08 MLA preliminary estimates).
The national sheep flock, now at around 76.9 million head, is down on the historical highs of 1960 when it reached 170 million. This reflects a more competitive international fibre market, land use changes in the agricultural sector and, more recently, the ravages of drought. Similarly, the beef cattle herd size is down from the 1970s high of 30 million to 27.3 million head (source: ABS - year end 30 June 2008). Dairy cattle contribute an additional 3 million head to the cattle herd, and the national goat flock stands at 3 million.
Find out more information on Australia's red meat industry-
Facts and statistics about the Australian beef industry for the 2008-09 fiscal year:
- There are 61,925 establishments with cattle (ABS).
- In 2008-09, Australia produced close to 2.1 million tonnes of beef and veal (ABS).
- Australia exported a total of 967,729 tonnes swt of beef (DAFF).
- Total value of beef exports in 2008-09 was $5 billion (ABS).
- The top five markets for Australian beef and veal are: Japan, US, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan
Further information: Beef fast facts 2009 (PDF, 373KB)
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Facts and statistics about the Australian sheepmeat industry for the 2008-09 fiscal year:
- Australian lamb production in 2008-09 was 422,900 tonnes, while mutton was 235,300 tonnes.
- There are 31,433 properties with sheep and lambs (ABS)
- The top five markets for Australian lamb: the US, Middle East, China, European Union and PNG.
- The top five markets for Australian mutton: the Middle East, the US, South Africa, CIS and Taiwan.
- The total value of all lamb export markets for 2008-09 is approximately A$966 million.
Further information: Sheepmeat fast facts 2009 (PDF, 383KB)
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Facts and statistics about the Australian goat meat industry for the 2008-09 fiscal year:
- Australia is the largest goat meat exporter in the world, exporting A$71.8 million of goat meat (ABS).
- The top five markets for Australian goat meat are: the US, Taiwan, the Caribbean, Canada and Japan (DAFF)
Further information: Goatmeat fast facts 2009 (PDF, 380KB)
The beef cattle feedlot industry is a well established value-adding component of the Australian beef industry. The growth within this sector has been stimulated by the increasing demand in export and domestic markets for consistent quality in our beef products.
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Australia is a world leader in the export of commercial livestock. The live trade is a significant contributor to the Australian rural economy and has provided an important market for Australian cattle, sheep and goat producers for 30 years.
Facts and statistics about the Australian livestock exports industry for the 2007-08 fiscal year (Source: ABS - 2007-08 fiscal year):
- Australia exported a total of 769,890 head of cattle, valued at A$540.330 million
- Australia exported a total of 4.1 million sheep, valued at A$287 million
- Australia exported a total of 84,226 goats, valued at A$9.92 million
Read more about Australian livestock exports
(Source: MLA preliminary estimates)
- Total red meat domestic consumption was an average of 49.7kg per person
- Beef domestic consumption was an average of 35.6kg per person
- Lamb domestic consumption was an average of 11.4kg per person
- Mutton domestic consumption was an average of 2.7kg per person
Read more about marketing red meat in Australia
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