Red meat and live exports hit $13.8b

In the year ending June 2018, Australian red meat, offal and livestock exports reached A$13.78 billion, up 13% year-on-year and largely underpinned by an increase in cattle turn-off and higher smallstock prices.

Beef export value failed to surpass the drought years of 2014–2016 but was the third highest financial year on record at A$7.96 billion. With lamb prices smashing records in recent months, lamb exports reached a record A$2.27 billion, and mutton followed suit at A$1.02 billion.

Combined sheep and beef offal exports broke records at A$778 million while live cattle and sheep exports accounted for significant portions, at A$1.268 million and A$259 million respectively.

Japan, the US, Korea and China continued to underpin the value of beef exports, with the four largest markets accounting for 75% of export value. Similarly, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the US and China accounted for 66% of sheepmeat export value.

Live cattle exports remain focused on Southeast Asia, reflecting the level of development across key markets and proximity to northern Australia, while sheep exports remain concentrated in MENA, underpinned by demand for religious slaughter.