Australia targets new beef and lamb production records in 2024

The MLA forecast an 11 percent increase in livestock slaughter to 8.19 million Head, the highest since 2019. Beef production is also expected to increase more than 10 percent to 2.46 million tons. This would continue the growth already seen in the previous year, when beef production increased by 18 percent. Farmers began to replenish their herds after a period of drought, leading to a significant increase in the supply of slaughter animals.

Although the cattle herd is expected to decline slightly in the summer of 2024 , by 0.4 percent to 28.59 million head, beef production will continue to increase in 2025 and 2026, although not at the same rate as this year. With Australia's domestic beef

demand accounting for less than 30 per cent of production, Export supplies this year are expected to be higher than in 2023. Beef exports at carcass weight could reach nearly 1.80 million tonnes, an increase of 13 percent, according to the MLA . In the first two months of this year, beef exports have increased by almost a third compared to the same period last year. All major buyers, including Japan, the US , China and South Korea, increased their orders. The only thing that has slowed down exports to Indonesia a little is some logistics issues. As such, Australia is poised to become one of the world's leading producers and exporters of beef and lamb. Increasing Meat production and exports will help develop the industry and strengthen Australia's position in the global market.