Live export of Australian cattle gains momentum

There’s renewed confidence in Australia’s cattle live export industry, driven by strong demand, closer industry cooperation and continued investment. 

Speaking on MLA’s On the Ground podcast, Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) CEO, Mark Harvey-Sutton, outlined a positive outlook for the sector, highlighting its economic contribution, animal welfare performance and importance to international markets. 

Economic and strategic importance to northern Australia

The live export industry contributes approximately $1 billion annually to the Australian economy and remains a critical component of northern Australia’s cattle sector.

“It’s incredibly important. The whole infrastructure and investment across northern Australia and the cattle industry is geared towards live export,” Mark said.

Indonesia continues to be the dominant market, with demand driven by population growth and increasing requirements for high-quality protein. Mark described this relationship as “symbiotic,” with Australia providing livestock supply while Indonesia works to meet growing demand despite limited productive land.

Beyond economics, live export plays a key role in Australia’s broader relationship with Indonesia.

According to Mark, cattle supply is a linchpin of the Indonesian-Australian relationship, reinforcing both trade ties and food security outcomes.

Strong demand supported by world-leading animal welfare standard

Demand remained strong through late 2025, with volumes easing slightly in early 2026, but overall sentiment across the sector remains positive.

The industry continues to operate under a highly regulated framework, with animal welfare central to its operations. Recent data shows 99.9% of exported cattle reaching their destination, reflecting what Mark describes as “an extraordinary effort” supported by science, research and continuous improvement. 

Measures such as accredited stock handlers on voyages, veterinarians on long-haul shipments and advanced onboard monitoring systems all contribute to maintaining high welfare standards.

“We unapologetically have the highest standards of shipping livestock in the world,” he said.

All vessels must meet strict accreditation requirements through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, ensuring consistent compliance.

Industry collaboration and long-term market growth

A renewed focus on Indonesia has been strengthened through the establishment of the Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Task Force, bringing together industry bodies including, Cattle Australia, the Northern Territory Cattleman’s association ALEC, LiveCorp and MLA.

The initiative is designed to better align live export with broader red meat marketing strategies and identify opportunities to grow demand.

“We are a red meat product that gets exported – it might not go in a box, but quality, biosecurity and traceability are just as important,” Mark said.

The industry is also progressing a long-term growth strategy focused on expanding and strengthening key markets, enhancing engagement with governments, maintaining continuous improvement in animal welfare, ensuring regulation supports trade and improving community understanding of the sector.

Recent Australian investment in shipping capacity is providing a further boost to confidence. There are limited vessels designed for livestock transport, and fewer still that meet Australia’s accreditation standards, making domestic investment particularly important.

“This is a strong signal that our industry is worth investing in,” Mark said.