Australia sets new beef export record thanks to US

Beef exports from Australia have already hit a record high this year, driven by strong demand from the United States.

This was reported by Bloomberg, citing data from Meat & Livestock Australia.

For 11 months of this year, shipments amounted to 1.4 million tonnes, which is 15% more than in the same period last year. This exceeds the previous annual maximum of 1.34 million tonnes in 2024.

The United States remained the largest export market, consuming almost a third of Australian beef, despite the fact that the administration of President Donald Trump introduced a 10% import tariff on meat, which was later canceled.

Analysts note that beef imports to the United States have increased sharply in recent years, as the American livestock has shrunk to a 70-year low and red meat prices have risen significantly.

“While the tariffs were in place, Australian beef exports remained strong and resilient, driven by very strong demand from the US,” the association said in a statement.

Australian beef exports to the US totaled 412,000 tonnes in January-November, up 17% from the same period in 2024. Shipments to China rose 43% to 243,000 tonnes, while Japan and South Korea also bought more red meat.

Australian beef production is also expected to reach a record high in 2025, despite a decline in cattle herds in the south-eastern states due to years of drought.