New $45 Million Program Launched to Fast-Track Feedlot Innovation and Adoption

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has launched the Feedlot Research for Accelerated Adoption Program (RAAD), a $45 million, five-year investment delivered as a strategic partnership with The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) through the MLA Donor Company (MDC) to drive commercially focused innovation across Australia’s feedlot sector.
 
The program is a clear demonstration of MLA and the feedlot sectors commitment to delivering on the ambitions set out in the MLA Strategic Plan 2030, particularly its focus on accelerating the adoption of proven tools and technologies that improve livestock productivity, animal wellbeing and business resilience...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Feb 2026 Beef Exports Surge Across Key Growth Markets

Australia’s beef exports soared to 130,884 metric tons (MT), the highest February volume on record, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Outgoing volumes bounced back, rising 55.2% month-on-month (MOM) by 46,541 MT as the market returned to full operations after January holidays.

Robust global demand continued to lend support to annual growth, rising 11.4% or 13,381 MT higher year-on-year...

ANALYSIS: Australia, New Zealand Beef Trade on Alert as Middle East Flashpoint Deepens

The Australian and New Zealand beef market is closely monitoring the latest escalation in the Middle East, with freight emerging as the immediate pressure point.

By Monday’s close, exporters were advised that cargoes moving to and from the Upper Gulf, Arabian Gulf and Persian Gulf would face a War Risk Surcharge (WRS) of over A$5,000 per reefer container, or about USD 3,500. 

Air freight routes have also been suspended, effectively halting chilled beef shipments...

Meat & Livestock Australia: Highest Female Slaughter in Almost 50 Years

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released processing data for the final quarter for 2025, confirming a large year for Australia’s cattle sector. Across the last calendar year, national cattle slaughter reached 9.28 million head and beef production totalled 2.8 million tonnes.

Of the 9.28 million cattle processed in 2025, 4.93 million were females and 4.35 million were males, placing the national female slaughter rate (FSR) at 53% for the year. While the female share has been elevated since 2024, there is no sign of a heavy destock...

ANALYSIS: Lower Slaughter Pulls Australia’s 2025 Lamb Production 5.2% Below Year Ago

Australia’s 2025 total lamb production retreated from 2024’s all-time high, totaling 597,068 metric tons (MT), according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Driven by its reduced flock size and extended dry weather conditions, output slumped by 5.2% year-on-year (YOY) or 32,614 MT.

Production across Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA) , South Australia (SA) recorded slight dips compared to last year with the exception of Tasmania (TAS).

In the south, bushfires and heatwaves late in Q4 2025 further compounded pressure on grazing conditions, with sheep pastures bearing the brunt of the impact compared with cattle...

ABS Data Confirms Record Beef Production and Strong Livestock Supply in 2025

Australia’s red meat industry has delivered another year of strong performance, with new ABS data confirming exceptional beef production, historically high cattle slaughter and resilient lamb and mutton supply despite varied seasonal conditions.
 
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) says the data reflects both the strength and adaptability of Australian red meat producers, as well as the continued shift toward higher throughput and heavier carcase weights across key species.
 
Cattle: Record production and the highest slaughter in almost five decades

Australia: Record Cattle on Feed Numbers Drive Huge 2025 Turn-Off 

Australia’s feedlot sector maintained strong momentum through the December quarter, setting a new record for cattle on feed and continuing to test the upper limits of national capacity. This sustained expansion underpinned record grainfed export performance in 2025cal demonstrating the importance of feedlots in the production system. 

National feedlot capacity increased by 1% on last quarter to a record 1.76 million head, supporting continued high throughput. The slightly lower September-quarter cattle-on-feed figure flowed through to December turn-off, which totalled 947,200 head, down 2% from the all-time high recorded in the September quarter...

MLA Secures Grant to Strengthen Australia–China Cattle and Red Meat Industry Cooperation

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in partnership with industry peak bodies, has secured a grant from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations to deliver a major new initiative designed to deepen engagement between Australian and Chinese cattle and red meat industry stakeholders.

The funding will support two major exchanges: an inbound delegation of emerging and established Chinese red meat industry leaders to Australia, followed by an outbound visit by Australian peak industry bodies to China.

Activities will culminate in the inaugural Australia China Livestock and Red Meat...

Australia’s Food and Wine Group Returns to South Korea

The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group will make its first return visit later this month when it heads to South Korea for its eighth Taste the Wonders of Australia campaign.

The Collaboration Group, which includes Meat and Livestock Australia, along with Hort Innovation, Dairy Australia, Wine Australia and Seafood Industry Australia, aims to deepen commercial relationships with key partners in trade, retail and foodservice, reinforcing South Korea as a priority export destination for Australia’s premium food and beverages.

South Korea is one of Australia’s most significant trade partners, with a population of more than 50 million and dense urban centres...

A-EU FTA Negotiations Must Rectify Punitive Access

Australia’s red meat industry has issued its clearest message yet on the pending endgame of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations.

Improved market access is essential, and the FTA is the way to achieve it.

With the EU only allocating quota increases to its trading partners, rather than genuinely liberalising its import regime, Australian negotiators must remain firm.

Andrew McDonald, Chair of the Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access Taskforce, said Australia cannot afford to fall further behind other global suppliers...

MLA - Beef Producers Geared for Growth

The latest Beef Producers' Intentions Survey (BPIS), conducted by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in November 2025, collected responses from almost 3,000 grassfed beef producers nationwide and suggests a confident and expansion-minded industry heading into 2026.

The survey showed 50% of Australian beef producers intend to expand their operations in 2026. When extrapolated across the national herd, these intentions imply an overall herd increase of approximately 3%.

Producer sentiment has reached an all-time high, rising to 76 points - up sharply from 47 points in 2024 and just 11 points in 2023. This uplift closely mirrors the improvement in cattle prices...

Producer Confidence Surges as Cattle Sector Heads Into 2026: MLA Beef Producers Intentions Survey

Key points

• Producer confidence reaches its highest level since the survey’s redesign, with 79% feeling positive about the next 12 months
• Improved seasonal conditions, stable pricing and strong global demand underpin sentiment
• Confidence driving long term decision making, with many producers planning herd rebuilding and operational expansion

Producer confidence across Australia’s grassfed beef sector has surged to its strongest level in recent years, according to the latest Beef Producers Intentions Survey (BPIS) from Meat & Livestock Australia.

Almost 80% of producers report a positive outlook for the year ahead, marking a significant...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s 2025 Beef Exports Soar to New Highs at 1.54M MT

Australia’s total beef exports in 2025 soared past 1.5 million metric tons (mt), surpassing previous records, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

On an annual basis, export volumes rose a solid 15.0% year-on-year (YOY) or 202,189 mt...

Australia: Beef Production Hits Record Highs as Lamb and Mutton Turnoff Slows

Australia’s cattle industry continues to set new benchmarks, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures confirming record beef production for the September quarter.

At the same time, sheep and lamb slaughter has eased significantly following last year’s peak turnoff.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)’s Manager for Market Information, Stephen Bignell said that strong seasonal conditions across northern Australia have underpinned the surge in cattle numbers.

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q3 2025 Beef Production Soar to Record Highs, Cattle Kills Highest Since 1978

Australia’s Q3 2025 beef production surged to a record 759,270 metric tons (mt), as cattle slaughters hit their highest level since 1978, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Rising 5.8% from Q2, the quarterly increment of 41,379 mt was fueled by growth across all beef-producing regions, led by strong gains in Queensland, Australia’s top producer, and New South Wales...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Oct 2025 Beef Exports Flat MOM as Korea Pulls Back

Australia’s beef exports in October 2025 held largely steady month-on-month (MOM) to 139,0285 metric tons (MT), data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) showed.

Edging up just 0.2% or 274 mt from September, monthly growth was curbed mainly by lower outbound shipments to Korea as the impact of its safeguard activation took hold. Shipments to the United States (US), China, and Southeast Asia also eased, while Japan logged a solid monthly rebound underpinned by replenishment demand.

On a yearly basis, exports were ...

Australian Beef Industry Sets Global Benchmark in Sustainability Performance

The Australian beef industry has released its 2025 Annual Update under the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF), showcasing record-breaking environmental achievements, strengthened market access, and a clear roadmap for future sustainability leadership.
 
Since 2005, the industry has reduced net CO₂-e emissions by 70.1%, largely driven by carbon sequestration in the landscape on grazing land. 
 
Beef production reached an all-time high of 2.75 million tonnes, achieved with improved efficiency and reduced waste.
 
Solid waste to landfill in the processing sector fell by 71.6% between...

ANALYSIS: Australia Drives Korea’s August 2025 Beef Imports to Seven-Month Peak

Korea’s August 2025 beef imports rose for the second consecutive month, reaching 47,475 metric tons (mt), the highest level since January 2025, data from Korea Customs Service showed.

Rising 8.8% month-on-month (MoM), imports increased by 3,841 mt, led by higher volumes from the United States (US) and Australia. Fimer volumes from Canada contributed to the increase, while shipments from New Zealand were broadly stable compared with the prior month, tempering overall growth...

Australian Beef Production Hits Record in FY25, Mutton Output Climbs 12%

Australian red meat production reached record levels over the 2024–25 financial year, with beef output hitting an all-time high of 2.75 million tons, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show.

Australia processed 8.88 million head of cattle in the financial year, the third-largest annual slaughter since 1978 and the highest of the last decade.

Even with increased production, average national carcase weights fell to 307kg due to seasonal factors and a higher proportion of female cattle in the processing mix...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #21 

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #21."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

...

On August 6, US President Trump issued an executive order that imposes a new 25% additional ad valorem tariff on imports from India into the States, effective 21 days after the White House announcement...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s July 2025 Beef Exports Smash Fresh Record Highs

Australia’s beef exports in July 2025 soared to a fresh record high, hitting 150,435 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (D.A.F.F.). The volume topped the previous peak set in June 2025 by 15,838 mt and marked a fourth straight month of growth.

Increases in exports to major destinations such as the United States (US), China, Canada, Japan, and Korea supported the overall growth, potentially setting the stage for Australia’s annual volumes to hit record highs in 2025...

China Extends Antidumping Investigation on Imported Beef to November 2025 

China’s antidumping investigation into imported beef will be extended until November 26, 2025, the latest announcement by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated.  

Originally set to conclude in August, it will now be extended by three months “due to the large workload and complex case,” as per Announcement No. 38. 

The MOFCOM began the investigation on December 27, 2024, following a request from China’s Animal Agriculture Association and nine industry associations representing major beef-producing areas on behalf of the domestic beef sector...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

...

As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board from the coalition of countries...

US-EU Trade Announcement: Markets Open to American Food and Beverage Producers

As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board (including sector-specific rates like those on autos) from the coalition of countries, according to a joint announcement between US President Trump and European Commission President von der Leyen. 

The trade deal will contain agreements whereby the EU will purchase $750 billion in energy from the US, invest an additional $600 billion into the US, open markets to...

President Trump Securing Market Access in Australia for US Beef Draws Praise

President Trump secured expanded access to Australia’s market for U.S. fresh and frozen beef, scoring a historic win for American ranchers. For over two decades, Australia imposed non-scientific barriers on U.S. beef, closing off a critical market. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Australia opened its market to U.S. beef, scoring a major win for U.S. ranchers.

The announcement was immediately met with praise from American ranchers, stakeholders, and lawmakers:

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President and Nebraska Cattleman Buck Wehrbein: For 20 years... 

China’s Australian Beef Safeguard Kicks in 75 Days Earlier This Year Following Record Exports

China’s imports of Australian beef have triggered the 2025 Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) as of July 24, according to the latest announcement posted on the China International Trade Single Window, a website led by China’s National Ports Administration Office. 

Despite the higher annual quota volume for this year, this means the safeguard quota was exhausted in 205 days, 75 days earlier than in 2024. The safeguard limit was activated last year on October 6.  

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) took effect in...

Global Appetite for Australian Red Meat Continues at Pace: New Records in Exports for FY2024–25

Australia’s red meat industry exported new record volumes of beef and mutton in the 2024-2025 financial year.

According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), total beef and veal exports for the financial year reached 1.4 million tonnes, the highest annual volume ever. Mutton exports also hit a new record at 256,104 tonnes. Lamb exports totalled 363,109 tonnes, making it the second-largest financial year for lamb exports.

June 2025 alone saw 134,593 tonnes of beef exported, marking the highest...

Australian Beef Producer Kilcoy Global Foods Files for $100 Million IPO

The Australian meat producer Kilcoy Global Foods filed for initial public offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company plans to raise up to $100 million.

Kilcoy is specialised in elaborated meat and protein products and reported $2.2 billion in sales for the 12 months ended March 31, 2025, up by 17% on the year. Its largest revenue was the US market, followed by Australia and China.

 The company initially filed confidentially on January 10, 2025...

Cargill Seeks Full Ownership of Australian Beef Producer Teys

Australian Teys Investments and Cargill have announced on Thursday, Cargill, via a subsidiary, has agreed to increase its stake in Teys to 100%. This includes Teys Australia and Teys USA.

Teys is specialized in Australian beef to both the national and international market. Cargill has already held stake on Teys for the past 14 years, Teys said.

“The Teys family is immensely proud to have grown our business into a premier provider of beef to our customers and Australian families. Cargill has been instrumental in our transformation...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Australian Meat Industry Welcomes New and Expanded Access to China

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) welcomes new approvals for seventeen Australian sheep, lamb and goat export establishments to access the China market. This outcome is a significant win for Australian sheep, lamb and goat processing and export businesses that will have benefits across the red meat supply chain.

The approvals published by the General Administration of Customs China include access for chilled and frozen sheep and goat meat, and includes new access for ten establishments, and expanded access for new product categories for seven establishments...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q1 2025 Beef Exports Grow 12.7% Y-o-Y to 310,974 mt

Australia’s beef exports rose 12.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first quarter of 2025 to 310,974 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF).

Australia’s beef exports rose by 35,983 mt in Q1 2025, continuing a strong upward trajectory. The growth was underpinned by tightening domestic supply in the United States (US), which created space for Australia’s production to gain ground.

The Oceanic exporter also made inroads in key export markets such...