Historic highs for red meat production

22 Aug 2025

Key points

Beef production hit a record high of 2.75 million tonnes in FY2024–25.
The National Female Slaughter Rate (FSR) rose to 54% due to high supply and attractive prices.
Lamb and mutton volumes remained strong.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released livestock slaughter and production data for the June quarter, closing FY2024–25. Numbers highlight a new record for national beef production, while lamb and mutton throughput continued their historic highs – all proving overall red meat supply strength.

Cattle

Cattle slaughter in FY2024–25 totalled 8.89 million head – the largest throughput since FY2014–15 and the third highest since FY1977–78. Numbers were supported by strong supply across all major production states.

Processed volume was underpinned by a June quarter 8% lift from the March quarter, totalling 2.4 million head. This is the highest quarterly throughput since 2015 and 34% above the five-year average. It was driven mostly by Queensland – processing over one million head. Most other states saw their strongest results in more than a decade.

Beef production reached an all-time high of 2.75 million tonnes for the financial year, surpassing the previous peak of 2.62 million tonnes set in FY2014–15. Productivity gains, high feedlot turnoff and ongoing efficiency improvements contributed to this record.

The June quarter delivered the largest national quarterly beef production on record at 717,891 tonnes. Victoria also recorded its highest production quarter ever while achieving its fifth consecutive quarterly lift. All states except WA recorded gains compared to the March quarter.

National average carcase weights eased to 307kg, reflecting the lighter winter cattle seasonal trend, combined with higher proportions of processed females. The National Female Slaughter Rate (FSR) rose to 54% in the June quarter. This consistent lift in female slaughter reflects properties turning off high cow numbers due to high supply and attractive prices.

Lamb

Lamb slaughter for FY2024–25 totalled 26.06 million head – the second highest financial year on record after the FY2023–24 peak. While June quarter slaughter eased 2% from the March quarter, it still contributed to historically strong annual volumes.

Production reached 624,549 tonnes. Although down 4% from FY2023–24 numbers, it is still the second highest financial year recorded. Stable annual production – despite slightly lower slaughter – was supported by heavier carcase weights as producers placed lambs on grain earlier in response to drier seasonal conditions.

National carcase weights averaged 24.78kg in the June quarter, up 5% from the March quarter and the heaviest recorded averages since the September 2022 quarter. This lift reflects seasonal feeding strategies and processors rewarding heavier weights due to market demand.

Mutton

National sheep slaughter reached 11.7 million head in FY2024–25, 13% higher than the previous financial year and the highest annual throughput since FY2006–07. Victoria led the increase with 4.4 million head – its largest annual turnoff since FY1980–81. WA processed its highest total since FY2007–08 at 2.2 million head.

Strong throughput across all states resulted in a 12% year-on-year (YoY) rise in Mutton production, closing at 294,757 tonnes. Although slaughter reduced in the June quarter, it has highlighted the strength of earlier in the year to drive the annual result.

Following the seasonal pattern, carcase weights averaged 23.9kg for the June quarter, bringing the annual average slightly lower YoY and continuing the lighter average carcase weight trend observed since the national FY2020–21 peak.

Information is correct at time of publishing on 22 August

Attribute to Emiliano Diaz – MLA Market Information Analyst

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