In 2024, Australian red meat exports reached a historic high, with records set for beef, lamb, mutton, and goatmeat. Australia exported 2.24 million tonnes of red meat to 104 countries, marking the largest volume ever exported. This achievement underscores Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality red meat, with strong overseas demand complementing the rise in domestic supply.

The cattle herd and sheep flock in Australia reached maturity in 2024, leading to a substantial increase in slaughter. Additionally, favorable global supply conditions benefited Australia, as beef exports from the United States decreased due to a low cattle herd caused by years of drought. Despite global economic pressures impacting consumer confidence, Australian red meat continued to be in high demand internationally due to the industry’s commitment to quality and trust.

Australia’s market access position played a crucial role in driving exports, with approximately 87 percent of exports going to countries with which Australia has free trade agreements. The United States emerged as the largest market for beef, lamb, and goatmeat, while China dominated the mutton market in 2024.

Here is a breakdown of the key red meat categories:

Beef:
– Beef exports reached 1.34 million tonnes, a 22 percent increase from 2023 and 4 percent higher than the previous record set in 2014.
– The US market experienced the strongest growth, with a 60 percent increase in exports to 394,716 tonnes, while Southeast Asia saw a 33 percent increase to 177,684 tonnes.
– Australian grainfed beef exports hit a record high of 375,195 tonnes, driven by strong turnoff figures resulting from high cattle numbers and capacity.

Lamb:
– Australian lamb exports rose to 359,299 tonnes in 2024, a 10 percent increase from the previous record set in 2023.
– The US was the largest market for lamb at 85,133 tonnes, followed by China at 53,478 tonnes and the United Arab Emirates at 27,268 tonnes.
– Significant growth was observed in exports to the United Kingdom, rising by 44 percent under the Australian-United Kingdom free trade agreement.

Mutton:
– Mutton exports reached 255,098 tonnes, a 22 percent increase from the previous record in 2023.
– China remained the largest market for Australian mutton, with 95,622 tonnes exported. Malaysia and the United States were the second and third largest markets, respectively.
– Overall sheepmeat exports (lamb + mutton) rose by 15 percent to 614,396 tonnes, the highest figure from any single country on record.

Goatmeat:
– Australian goatmeat exports totaled 51,489 tonnes in 2024, the highest figure on record.
– The US was the largest market for Australian goatmeat, with exports reaching 27,599 tonnes, followed by South Korea and China.
– Goatmeat exports were 44 percent higher in 2024 compared to the previous record set in 2014.

Australia’s red meat industry’s success in 2024 was driven by a combination of strong supply, high-quality products, and favorable market access conditions. These factors, coupled with the industry’s commitment to excellence, have solidified Australia’s position as a leading global red meat exporter.