Australia Sets New Red Meat Records

Australian red meat exports were at an all-time high in 2024, according to data from Meat and Livestock Australia .

But, that recipe for success might be hard to replicate in 2025.

External, global factors like trade, immigration, climate and natural disasters, all impact our export market.

We chew the fat on the 2024 records below.

Beef

Australia's beef exports reached 1.34 million tonnes in 2024, 4% higher than the previous record set in 2014.

The strongest growth was seen in the United States where beef exports lifted a huge 60%.

The US cattle herd dropped to a 72-year low last year, due to record drought conditions.

Every US state except Alaska and Kentucky experienced drought in 2024.

The US enjoys the taste of Australian beef – US consumers show high interest in our product, and consider it to be versatile, nutritious, and high quality.

MLA estimates around 45% of Australian beef exported to the USA is eaten in places like restaurants, steakhouses and fine dining establishments.

And a lot of that beef is turned into mince, or 'ground beef', for hamburgers.

The United States was Australia's largest customers for beef, lamb and goatmeat in 2024.

Sheepmeat

Australia's sheepmeat exports rose 15% from 2023 to 2024.

In total, Australia shipped 614,396 tonnes of sheepmeat overseas.

This is the highest sheepmeat export figure from any single country on record.

China was the largest market for mutton in 2024, and the US was the largest market for lamb.

Chinese consumers use our lamb in stews, soups and hot pot dishes.

Eating mutton and lamb is more common in the country's north, with consumption increasing in winter.

Aussie lamb is especially sought after in thinly shaved form, ready to be shared in a hot pot.

Goat

Australia's goatmeat exports reached 51,489 tonnes in 2024.

Only 9% of the goats grown in Australia are eaten here; the vast majority are exported.

The North American market continues to be the largest consumers of Australian goatmeat. It's a title the region has held for more than 20 years.

US fans of goat are more likely to have Caribbean, African, Asian, Pacific Islander and Central American cultural backgrounds, or share the Hindu or Muslim faiths.

There are some great recipe ideas online if you're willing to give goat a go.

A taste of history

Australia exported 2.24 million tonnes of red meat to 104 countries last year.

This was the largest volume of red meat ever exported from Australia.

Our compliments to the chefs, the traders, the processors, and the farmers.