Day 49 of Iran War: Oil Slumps as Iran Opens Hormuz; Lebanon Ceasefire Fuels Hopes of Wider Deal

With a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon taking effect, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels for the duration of the truce, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump said a broader deal to end the war involving Iran is “very close,” with another round of negotiations potentially taking place this weekend in Islamabad. 

Despite signs of progress, significant hurdles remain as key differences persist, leaving both sides preparing for either a diplomatic breakthrough...

Cream of the Crop: Beef From Dairy Paves Pathway

Transforming the management of non-replacement dairy calves by creating a viable beef from dairy pathway is the key focus of a recently launched dairy Australia and MLA Initiative – CalfWays.

The CalfWays partnership will drive welfare, environmental and productivity outcomes across the supply chain. 

With more than one million dairy calves born each year, the benefits are set to be significant.  

Developed by Dairy Australia in collaboration with more than 150 stakeholders, the initiative aims to ensure all dairy-origin calves which are not required for herd maintenance will have a valued market pathway, primarily as beef cattle, by 2035...

MLA: $300m Pest Problem Meets a New Solution

Cattle tick and buffalo fly have been identified as the two highest-cost endemic disease issues for the Australian red meat industry – combined, they’re a $300 million problem, particularly in northern Australia.

With reports of the buffalo fly spreading further south and rising resistance to current controls, the cost is likely to grow without intervention. 

MLA-supported research is underway to develop new pesticides to combat both pests, while minimising the risk for beneficial insects such as bees and dung beetles.

Professor Joel Mackay of The University of Sydney...

Govt Must Guarantee Rural Fuel Supplies to Fight Dire Inflation

Cattle Australia is calling for direct Government action to secure fuel for regional areas, highlighting it as one of the last remaining mechanisms to bring down inflation to help all Australians.

Cattle Australia Chair, Garry Edwards, said it was the one big trigger still available to the Commonwealth to fight inflationary pressures and ensure Australian food prices don’t go through roof.

“Regional fuel shortages require urgent action or all Australians will suffer at the checkout. We all know that everyone is suffering but if we don’t prioritise fuel to where...

Private-Label Brands Surge Across US and Global Markets, Circana Reports

According to two new reports from Circana, private-label brands are rapidly expanding across CPG and FMCG markets, led by food and beverage in the US, where private label holds a 24% value share in those aisles. The data shows the sector has evolved into a strategic growth driver for retailers and has built strong momentum recently.

Circana’s global research, Category Transformation or Simply Competition: A Global Private Label Perspective, explores regional approaches to private brands across the European Union, Australia, and the...

US Beef Returns to Australia After 23-Year Absence

A launch event with USTR, the U.S. Embassy and the Foreign Agricultural Service commemorates the reopening of the Australian market to U.S. beef.

For more than two decades, following the first detected case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in the U.S., the beef industry and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have worked diligently to regain access to the Australian market. In 2025, U.S. beef and beef products were officially declared eligible for importation into Australia — a significant milestone for the U.S. beef industry.

To commemorate and publicize this renewed...

MLA Opens Expressions of Interest and Tender for New BulkUp Producer Program

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has opened the BulkUp Expressions of Interest and Tender process, inviting delivery partners and producer groups across Australia to participate in a major new initiative designed to focus on feedbase utilisation and thereby improving productivity and profitability in the red meat industry.

BulkUp is a nationally available and locally delivered program that combines peer to peer learning, professional coaching and technical training within a long term supported learning program...

Tighter Supply Expected as National Sheep Flock Set to Decline in 2026: MLA Industry Projections

Australia’s sheep industry is entering a lower supply phase in 2026, with Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Sheep Industry Projections forecasting a further decline in flock numbers after several years of elevated turnoff and challenging seasonal conditions.
 
The national sheep flock is estimated to fall 2.7% to 67.1 million head by 30 June 2026, reflecting the cumulative impact of below average rainfall across key southern production regions including Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and southern New South Wales. While some late summer rainfall has provided short term relief, soil moisture...

MLA: What’s Ahead for the Cattle Market?

Record production forecast as supply stays elevated

Australia’s cattle sector is set for another year of high throughput. Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2026 Cattle Industry Projections is pointing to higher slaughter, record beef production and continued export strength.

The report also notes that the conflict involving Iran has added a layer of uncertainty to the 2026 outlook. While it is too early to assess the full implications for the cattle sector, any prolonged disruption could affect the industry’s operating environment through higher input costs, freight pressure and broader supply chain risks....

Demand from Korea Surges Despite Tariff Pressures

South Korea has quickly risen to become one of Australia’s top four global markets, driven by the establishment of the KAFTA (Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement) and strong consumer demand for Australian red meat. However, 2026 has seen ongoing discussions around the quota safeguard which after being exceeded sees a tariff rate increase from 5.3% to 24%.

Travis Brown, MLA Regional Manager for Japan and Kora, shared his insights in the latest episode of the On the Ground podcast.

“Last year, we hit our quota around mid-September. This year, it looks like we'll probably hit that quota towards the end of July...

Record Beef Production Expected as National Herd Remains Above 30 Million: MLA Projections 2026

Australia is on track for another year of historically high cattle throughput, with Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections forecasting total slaughter to reach 9.45 million head in 2026, the highest result since 1978 and above the 2025 total. 

MLA’s Manager for Market Information Stephen Bignell said producers were entering 2026 from a strong position. 

“It is forecasted that 9.45 million head of cattle will be processed in 2026, which is the highest level recorded in almost five decades,” Mr Bignell said. 

“This reflects strong global demand and solid production conditions across much of northern Australia...

A‑EU FTA Delivers Worst Ever Free Trade Agreement for Australian Red Meat Industry to Date

The Australian red meat industry says the Federal Government has badly let the sector down, signing an extremely disappointing free trade deal with the European Union that falls far short of what Australia needed and expected.

Australia’s red meat industry is devastated that the Federal Government signed an FTA that falls well short of delivering a significant increase in market access, despite repeatedly indicating it would not sign a bad deal.

While the incremental increase in quota access has been noted, the outcome is...

Circana Reports Global Foodservice Traffic Climbs 0.2% in 2025 Led by China and Canada

Circana LLC’s 2025 global foodservice results show that, despite macroeconomic headwinds, overall foodservice traffic rose 0.2% year-over-year (YOY). In the US, traffic dipped 0.3% YOY, but international markets, especially China and Canada, drove meaningful growth across the 12 key markets analyzed.

Although traffic growth through Q4 was modest, consumer spending strengthened, driven by a 3% increase in average check per visit. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) emerged as the primary stabilizer, accounting for 50% of global foodservice traffic and posting a...

MLA and KNAC Launch Collaborative Innovation Program in the Pilbara

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has partnered with Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KNAC) to deliver a multi year Collaborative Co Innovation Program aimed at strengthening sustainable pastoral development, Indigenous employment and new market led opportunities across the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
 
The program brings together MLA and Karlka Pastoral, which manages the Nyiyaparli People’s pastoral interests across Ethel Creek, Marillana (BHP sublease) and Walagunya stations.
 
The partnership will co design and implement an innovation strategy that supports long term commercial performance while delivering social, cultural and environmental benefits.
 
Covering more than...

MLA Backed Project Proves Low Cost Satellite Connectivity for Whole of Herd Monitoring

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) announced the successful completion of an MLA Donor Company (MDC) AgTech project that has demonstrated reliable and affordable two way satellite connectivity for livestock and on farm Internet of Things (IoT) sensors across Australia.
 
The project was led by eSAT Global, with Smart Paddock providing on farm visualisation and Viasat delivering satellite connectivity.
 
Trials conducted in June 2025 at Pinjarra Hills in Queensland and Rockhampton in Central Queensland confirmed the technology’s ability to deliver high message success rates using low power and low...

MLA: Heavy Steer Prices Surge Toward Record Highs

Australia’s National Heavy Steer Indicator climbed to 465.29¢/kg liveweight (lwt) on Thursday, placing it among the highest levels ever recorded.

The price sits just below the record of 471¢/kg lwt set in October 2021, but has already surpassed other historic peaks, including 464¢/kg, which was reached in November last year.

Demand for finished cattle

The surge in prices reflects persistent processor demand for finished cattle – particularly well-finished grassfed animals – even as national cattle production remains elevated. Usually, high production and slaughter volumes would suppress prices...

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...

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...