Australia's lamb and goat meat exports hit record levels

Mutton 

Lamb exports in FY24 totaled 587,262 tonnes, up 24% from FY23 and the highest ever. Exports increased across all regions, but the largest increase was clearly seen in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where exports rose 76% to 125,088 tonnes. Lamb exports increased by 60%, while mutton exports doubled to 54,039 tonnes.

Lamb exports to the United States increased by 20% to 80,787 tonnes, while exports to Malaysia rose by 14% to 11,516 tonnes. The only major market that did not see a significant increase in export volume was China , where mutton and lamb exports increased by 6% to 64,373 tonnes and 84,022 tonnes, respectively.

Beef

Beef exports for the fiscal year amounted to 1.2 million tonnes, up 29% from FY23 and in line with the volume of 2019-20.

The largest increase was seen in exports to North America, where their volume doubled to 343,034 tonnes. After a period of rapid decline in the US cattle herd between 2018 and 2023, US slaughter has begun to decline. At the same time, demand remains strong, and the US dollar has strengthened, meaning demand for Australian beef has increased significantly.

Exports to Australia's other major markets also showed significant growth; exports to Japan rose 14% to 238,220 tonnes, exports to China rose 7% to 197,048 tonnes, and exports to South Korea rose 8% to 191,270 tonnes.

Goat meat

Australia's goat meat exports increased by 63% in the 2024 financial year to 42,383 tonnes, the highest level ever recorded. Most of this export growth came from North America; exports to the US increased by 96% to 22,427 tonnes, while exports to Canada increased by 118% to 2,085 tonnes.