26/01/08
Australian beef exports hit record high in 2025
Australian beef exports hit record high in 2025
Dalby, 8 January (Argus) — Australian beef exports in 2025 reached 1.545mn t,
surpassing all previous annual totals. This volume is higher than the 1.34mn
tonnes exported in 2024 and 1.23mn t in 2019. December exports also set a record
at 147,533t, exceeding previous December highs, according to data from
Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) released on
7 December. Historically, December and January have been quieter months for beef
exports due to public holidays and seasonal plant closures. Quotas and tariff
resets for the new calendar year contributed to the rise in December shipments.
Favourable seasonal conditions over consecutive years across large parts of the
country led to ample cattle supply, record feedlot capacity , increased carcass
weights, and strong processing capacity, all supporting the surge in exports.
Strong international demand, particularly from the US, was a key driver. Drought
conditions and tariffs on Brazilian beef increased US demand for lean beef,
making Australian product more competitive. Exports to the US rose 15pc
year-on-year to 452,795t in 2025. Strong demand for specific cuts and grain-fed
beef drove Australian exports to China in 2025, despite safeguard tariffs and an
import probe that caused some subdued trade periods. Australian exports to China
totalled 272,939t in 2025, up 41pc from the previous year, keeping Australia
among China's leading beef suppliers. China announced a 55pc tariff on beef
imports from countries including Australia for shipments exceeding set quotas
starting 1 January 2026, raising concerns for future trade. Australian beef
exports to South Korea reached 221,350t in 2025, exceeding the 2024 record of
200,545t. Australian beef exports to Japan showed mixed trends in 2025, with
monthly fluctuations and economic headwinds affecting trade. Exports to Japan
totalled 257,378t in 2025, the first time the annual total exceeded 250,000t
since 2020. Australian cattle slaughter totalled 7.18mn head in the year to 12
December 2025, with two weeks of data still to be added, data from Meat and
Livestock Australia (MLA) show. This exceeds last year's total of 6.7mn head and
is the highest total since 2019's 7.37mn head. Jessica Clarke Australian beef
exports 2025 t US Japan China South Korea Indonesia Total Dec '25 41,225 22,632
29,878 21,138 7,837 147,533 Nov '25 41,714 24,877 20,345 17,399 5,018 131,705
Dec '24 42,104 18,082 23,860 18,496 5,759 127,393 Dec '23 35,763 19,014 18,399
15,458 4,012 106,724 Dec '22 16,617 16,429 12,950 16,125 2,498 76,118 Dec '21
15,277 16,819 13,805 15,181 2,412 77,058 2025 452,795 257,378 272,939 221,350
66,582 1,545,759 2024 394,543 247,604 193,227 200,545 84,178 1,343,568 2023
245,849 206,802 206,191 188,923 68,387 1,082,405 2022 133,841 214,305 158,086
160,725 39,324 854,592 2021 145,024 233,818 148,357 165,053 45,178 887,679 2020
211,376 269,302 196,696 160,850 47,733 1,039,410 2019 250,980 287,495 300,132
162,343 57,637 1,228,963 Totals include all destinations not just those listed
Source: DAFF Send comments and request more information at
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