Record surge in Australian meat exports
Australian red meat exports set a new record, reaching over 2 million tonnes in the past year, according to a report by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Beef exports matched the 2019–20 levels, while lamb, mutton, and goat meat exports hit all-time highs.
Beef exports reached 1.2 million tonnes, a 29% increase from the previous year, matching the 2019–20 levels. North America experienced the largest increase, with exports doubling to 343,034 tonnes. Exports to Japan rose by 14% to 238,220 tonnes, to China by 7% to 197,048 tonnes, and to South Korea by 8% to 191,270 tonnes.
Sheepmeat exports, including lamb and mutton, totalled 587,262 tonnes, a 24% increase from the previous year. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region saw a 76% rise in exports to 125,088 tonnes. Exports to the US grew by 20% to 80,787 tonnes, and to Malaysia by 14% to 11,516 tonnes. Exports to China increased by 6%.
Goat meat exports rose by 63% to a record 42,383 tonnes. Most of the increase was due to North America, with exports to the USA nearly doubling to 22,427 tonnes and to Canada more than doubling to 2,085 tonnes.
