ANALYSIS: Australia’s May 2026 Beef Exports Smash Records Before Safeguard Windows Slam Shut

Australia’s outbound beef shipping momentum shattered all historical precedents in May 2026, with total export volumes skyrocketing to an all-time record high of 152,438 metric tons (MT), according to the latest trade data from Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

This performance officially surpassed the previous all-time record high of 150,435 MT set in July 2025 by exactly 2,003 MT.

The DAFF figures showed that May volumes surged 8.2% month-on-month (MOM), adding an extra 11,495 MT over April's shipments...

ANALYSIS: Solid Start to 2026 as Australia’s January Beef Exports Soar

Australia kicks off 2026 with an in-month record January beef exports of 84,343 mt metric tons (mt), according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

January has historically been a softer month, with holiday closures and weather disruptions curbing export volumes. Lunar New Year preparations normally weigh on trade, but this year’s mid-February festivities pushed back logistical hurdles, leaving January’s decline milder than expected.

Outbound volumes fell 42.8% month-on-month (MOM) by 63,189 mt but rose 4.1% higher year-on-year (YOY)...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Aug 2025 Beef Exports Retreat to 29,805 mt on Low Output

New Zealand’s beef exports in August 2025 fell for the third straight month, coming in at 29,805 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Falling to the lowest level since October 2024, outbound shipments were 19.5% lower, or 7,218 mt compared to July 2025 across all key destinations including the United States (US), China, Japan and Korea, while shipments to Canada increased...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s May 2025 Beef Exports Surge 15.7% MoM to 49,281 mt

New Zealand’s beef exports rebounded in May 2025, posting a solid 15.7% rise from April to 49,281 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Volumes rose 6,676 mt month-on-month (MoM) driven by stronger shipments to the United States (US), China, and Canada. Modest gains to the United Kingdom (UK), Taiwan, and Japan also contributed to the higher May figures.

On the contrary, annual growth continued to be hindered by lower cattle kills. Yearly figures fell 10.2% or 5,581 mt, led by reduced shipments to China and Japan. Allocations to New Zealand’s...