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2020 industry fast facts released

19 November 2020

Key points:

  • The 2020 Beef and Sheepmeat Industry Fast Facts have been released
  • Domestic expenditure on beef was approximately $7.8 billion in 2019*
  • Domestic expenditure on lamb was approximately $2 billion and mutton $50 million in 2019*

MLA has recently released the 2020 beef and sheep industry fast facts, which provide snapshots of key industry statistics – including herd and flock size, production, value, consumption, exports and Australia’s position relative to global markets.

Highlights from Beef Fast Facts include:

  • In 2018–19, Australia produced approximately 2.4 million tonnes carcase weight (cwt) of beef and veal*.
  • In 2019–20, 3 million grainfed cattle were marketed (feedlot turnoff), equal to 36% of all adult cattle slaughtered*.
  • In 2019, Australia exported 76% of its total beef and veal production(1)
  • The value of total beef and veal exports in 2019 was A$10.8 billion*.

Highlights from Sheepmeat Fast Facts include:

  • In 2018–19, Australia produced 503,146 tonnes cwt of lamb and 228,135 tonnes carcase weight (cwt) of mutton*.
  • Total sheepmeat production (lamb and mutton) was 731,281 tonnes cwt in 2019, just below year-ago levels, yet 3% above the five-year average*.
  • In 2019, Australian lamb exports totalled 281,518 tonnes shipped weight (swt), up 5% year-on-year and 14% above the five-year average*.
  • Australian mutton exports were 183,833 tonnes swt in 2019, 2% higher year-on-year and up 16% on the five-year average*.
  • The value of Australian sheepmeat (lamb and mutton) exports in 2019 was $4.1 billion, up 14% from the previous year*.

MLA's beef industry fast facts can be viewed here and sheep industry fast facts can be viewed here.

Sources
* MLA State of the Industry Report – 2020
(1) MLA estimate


© Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, 2020