Australia beef production to set new record
Australia is set for another year of high cattle throughput in 2026, with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) forecasting slaughter at 9.45 million head, the highest level since 1978.
The national herd is expected to remain above 30 million head, easing slightly to 30.78 million, with a projected decline of around 6% by 2028 as sustained high turnoff continues.
Beef production is forecast to reach a record 2.9 million tonnes carcase weight, up about 4% year on year, supported by strong demand and favourable conditions in northern regions.
Exports are also projected to hit a record 2.3 million tonnes cwt, driven by firm global demand, particularly from the United States.
MLA said slaughter levels are likely to ease from 2027 as the herd contracts, while prices are expected to remain broadly stable in the near term.
Photo by Tobias Keller on Unsplit
