A note from Andrew Cox

With under a month still to run in the calendar, 2025 has already seen a new benchmark for Australian red meat exports. Beef exports have reached a record high and are on track to exceed 1.5 million tonnes. It will also be the second-largest year on record for sheepmeat exports (behind only 2023 and 2024), a record year for goatmeat exports, a record for total red meat exports, and the largest live cattle export in five years.

All of this despite a volatile global trading environment and persistent cost-of-living pressures for consumers.

As Australia’s largest beef market in a year of constrained local supply, the United States (US) has been a focal point, with Australian beef exports rising 17% year-to-date (YTD), building on an already significant base and performing strongly despite the 10% tariff that applied for six months of the year.

But 2025 has not been a one-market story. China (+44% YTD) has been Australia’s second largest beef market, with restricted access for US beef. Japan (+2% YTD) is likely to surpass 250,000 tonnes for the first time in five years, while Korea (+10% YTD) has already exceeded 200,000 tonnes and is on track for record exports. Canada (+73% YTD) is on track to exceed 50,000 tonnes for the first time, becoming Australia’s fifth-largest market by value.

Additional growth opportunities have been seen in Thailand (+30% YTD), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (+17% YTD) and Malaysia (+15% YTD), with the first two taking record volumes. The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUKFTA) provided opportunities for beef exporters in the United Kingdom (UK) market, with YTD exports reaching a record of over 15,000 tonnes.

Sheepmeat exports have also been strong. While US demand (-6% YTD) has eased slightly from historic highs, it remains very strong. Growth has been driven by the UK (+54% YTD), Canada (+30% YTD), Saudi Arabia (+24% YTD), Korea (+13% YTD) and Qatar (+20% YTD), reflecting both improved market access and a widening global customer base.

For goatmeat, exports to the US (+2% YTD) remain on track to surpass last year’s record, while Korea is expected to take over 10,000 tonnes for the first time, representing nearly a tenfold expansion since 2020. Canada (+69% YTD), China (+26% YTD) and Taiwan (+21% YTD) have also recorded strong growth.

Of course, these numbers are largely supply-driven, underpinned by consecutive good seasons in northern Australia building the herd, increased southern turn-off due to dry conditions, and multi-generational lows in the US cattle herd. Yet the demand side is equally noteworthy. Starting around 2020, there has been a clear shift in consumer attitudes toward red meat’s role in a healthy diet, rising interest in high-quality protein, and a preference for fresh, natural foods. Even with cost pressures, consumers are somewhat less inclined to compromise on quality. Furthermore, we continue to see interest rising in new and developing markets, or market with recent market access gains.

The positive demand side conditions have enabled Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and industry to engage a broader range of customers than ever before. In 2025, MLA’s international markets team will reach over 10,000 customers through our Aussie Meat Academy activities, with 95% reporting a positive business impact and 81% expressing a stronger preference for Australian red meat after engaging with the program. Our global network of influential Aussie Beef Mates and Lambassadors has grown to more than 180 food professionals. The Aussie Beef and Aussie Lamb logos now appear in more than 39,000 retail and foodservice outlets worldwide, including new placements in markets such as Canada, Thailand and the UK. MLA-managed trade shows generated over $73 million in direct commercial leads with 99% exporter satisfaction, and the Market Development Partnership program supported 183 co-funded activities across 24 countries.

Across markets, new and existing customers alike emphasise Australia’s trusted production systems, disease-free status, consistent eating quality, year-round supply, wide product range, long shelf life and export customer focus. While the cyclical nature of supply means market share will eventually come under renewed competitive pressure, there can be confidence that many of these customers will seek to continue growing their business with the support of high quality Australian red meat.

2026 starts with a bang, with an earlier-than-usual Gulfood in Dubai, followed by the Supermarket Trade Show in Japan, amongst a host of local events and engagements. These events provide important opportunities to showcase Australian red meat and reinforce our position in key global markets.

Wishing everyone across the industry a restful holiday season, and a successful year ahead.