AUSTRALIA last year retained its position as the world’s largest exporter of sheep and goat meat, and the second-largest beef exporter behind Brazil, according to the latest State of the Industry Report by Meat & Livestock Australia.

MLA said Australia’s red meat and livestock sector entered 2025 on a strong footing, achieving new milestones in growth, innovation and global competitiveness despite a rapidly changing operating environment.

Australia’s red meat and livestock exports rose 3.2 percent year-on-year in 2024, reaching $19.5 billion in value.

Lamb exports reached 359,299 tonnes shipped weight in 2024, the highest on record and 10pc above 2023 levels, while mutton exports totalled 255,090 tonnes swt, up 21.6pc year-on-year.

Goat meat exports surged 51.9pc to 51,489 tonnes swt in 2024.

Live cattle exports rose 13pc to 766,044 cattle, while the sheep trade fell 33pc to 433,078 sheep exported. Indonesia remained Australia’s largest market for live cattle exports, accounting for 70pc of total volume, followed by Vietnam at 16% and China at 7%.

For the first time, Jordan became Australia’s largest destination for live sheep exports, receiving 30pc of total shipments. This shift was largely due to a 58% drop in exports to Kuwait, driven by vessel availability constraints, MLA said.

Beef exports increased significantly to 1.34 million tonnes shipped weight (swt), up 24pc compared to 2023.

The report also said Australia remains one of the world’s highest per capita consumers of red meat, with beef consumption averaging 22.4kg and sheep meat at 7kg per person in 2024, well above the global averages of 6.0kg for beef and 1.4kg for sheep meat. According to the latest MLA research, 92pc of Australian households purchased beef and 72pc bought lamb, highlighting the central role red meat plays in Australian diets.

2024 a landmark year – Crowley

MLA managing director Michael Crowley said the report showcases the industry’s resilience with highly variable seasonal conditions in an environment of growing global demand despite cost-of-living pressures around the globe.

“2024 was a landmark year for Australia’s red meat and livestock sector,” he said.

“We achieved record production across lamb and goat meat, saw beef exports surge to new heights, and continued to expand our presence in global markets.

“These results are a testament to the industry’s ability to meet and exceed customer and consumer expectations in markets around the world,” Mr Crowley said.

“At the same time, we’re investing in understanding and responding to changing consumer preferences here at home.

“MLA is utilising insights that informs marketing programs to ensure red meat remains relevant across generations and cultural communities,” he said.

“Our work with butchers, restaurants and food influencers is helping us connect with new audiences, ensuring that Australian red meat continues to be a trusted and valued part of the Australian diet.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said that the industry’s performance underscores its role as a cornerstone of the national economy and a trusted supplier of high-quality protein to millions of consumers worldwide.

“Despite challenging seasonal conditions in some regions, it’s really pleasing to see that the red meat industry is on such positive footing and that record production has been achieved by the sector as a whole,” she said.

“We’re focused on getting the policy settings right to ensure Australian red meat continues to succeed at home and abroad.

“Through our strong partnership with industry, we’ve continued to maintain and expand market access for red meat, to several markets, including the United States, China, Indonesia, Peru, Malaysia and Vietnam. This has resulted in a record-breaking year for red meat exports,” Ms Collins said.

“We will continue strengthening areas of existing advantage, in terms of trade and biosecurity, while also positioning the industry to capitalise on the increasing market expectations around sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Mr Crowley said Australia’s record red meat exports in 2024 are a reflection of the industry’s global customer focus to deliver high quality, safe and nutritious red meat solutions to meet growing demand.

“These results are built on the trust the industry has earned with international customers, the integrity of our supply chains, and the dedication of producers and processors across regional Australia.

“As global demand for premium protein continues to grow, Australia is well positioned to lead, innovate and deliver value for our customers and trading partners.”

Industry turnover

In 2023-24, the red meat and livestock industry generated $77.1 billion in turnover, representing 1.5% of Australia’s total key industry turnover.

While turnover eased 10.3pc year-on-year due to price contractions and elevated supply, the processing sector remained strong, increasing turnover by 5.4pc.

Production (beef cattle, sheep and goat farming and feedlots) contributed 45.8% of total turnover, followed by processing (35.4pc) and wholesale/retail (18.8pc).

In 2023-24, the Australian red meat and livestock industry employed approximately 462,272 people.

Of these, 197,512 were directly employed in the industry. The industry was also responsible for the employment of a further 264,760 people in businesses servicing the red meat and livestock industry.

To view the full State of the Industry Report, visit State of Industry Report 2025

Source – MLA.