Key points:
- December quarter data shows record lamb slaughter and production volumes.
- Mutton production volumes were the largest in over two decades.
- Growth in carcase weights and investment in the feedlot sector led to record beef production.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the 2024 December quarter data for slaughter and production, closing out the calendar year. Results show that the red meat industry exceeded expectations for both production and throughput.
Sheepmeat
Lamb production reached records, with the December quarter maintaining the strength of the prior three periods. Lamb slaughter for the 2024 calendar year reached 26.4 million head, up 6% on both the previous year and record. Carcase weights staying at 24kg led production to follow suit.
Total lamb production for the year reached 629,385 tonnes, making 2024 the largest production year for lamb on record (5% above 2023 figures). Genetic investment and the demographic shift towards sheepmeat and shedding breeds have driven these productivity gains in the national flock.
Mutton results were along the same vein, however, did not reach previous records. Despite this, mutton production still lifted to its highest annual volume since 2002, producing 297,548 tonnes over the year. Slaughter lifted 20% on the previous year, for a total of 11.8 million head, while carcase weights remained flat at 25kg.
Beef
In 2024, Australia produced more beef than ever before, turning off 2.57 million tonnes of beef and enabling record exports. This result is a 16% lift on the 2023 figures. The strong 2024 production season can be attributed to:
- elevated turn-off due to dry conditions across some regions
- further investment and growth in the feedlot sector
- strong global demand influencing trade.
Carcase weights lifted in December due to a lower female slaughter rate and higher grainfed turn-off. However, the annual average was 309.8kg – 5kg below 2023. An impressive 18% lift in slaughter to 8.3 million head (a 42% lift in the last two years) influenced production to also lift.
Despite the lift, slaughter was still 10% below the previous high seen in 2014 (9.22 million). Trend-based increases in carcase weights have pushed beef production to new records. Annual production lifted in Tasmania by 1% and 59% in SA. WA production lifted 9%, Queensland and NSW both lifted 13%, and Victoria was up 27%.
Attribute to: Erin Lukey, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst
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