Market Talk - Promise in beef export markets

We have seen plenty of records broken in the sheep and lamb saleyards in recent times, almost to point that we are getting used to those numbers.

More records are also being broken on the export front with MLA reporting that Australian beef exports have broken the monthly all-time volume record for the fourth time over the last 12-month period.

July beef exports hit 150,435 tonnes which is up 16 per cent on July 2024 and an increase of 12 per cent on the previous monthly record set in June 2025.

MLA report that “these volumes represent a significant industry achievement and demonstrate our strong over seas reputation.

Australia is well positioned to take advantage of a tightening global market, as our efficient production systems and strong reputation create more opportunities to build market share”.

Exports from many other beef exporting nations are decreasing which is creating a tight global market supply which is promising for Australian producers.

Over the last few weeks we have seen cattle prices in Tasmania, Victoria and Southern NSW improve significantly and predictions out there are that store cattle will become scarce as the spring continues and if these parts of the nation get any sort of a spring it could become pretty interesting.

It should also be noted that Australian beef exports to the US have gone up 31 per cent year-on-year to June 2025 and we are now the biggest exporter to this market over taking both Canada and Brazil.

And this has taken place while all the tariff disrupters have been playing out in the world economies.

Sheep and lamb markets took a little breather this week with most lambs quoted $20 to $40 cheaper but obviously still at very good levels.

Reports indicate that most abattoirs have either cut a day or two or cut shifts as supply becomes very difficult as we wait for any number of new seasons lambs which will be at least a month away in the early areas of Northern Victoria and Southern to mid NSW.

The word is also that our overseas clients are struggling to keep Australian lamb on their retail shelves.

We all knew that there would be a price point where these high prices would have an effect in our overseas markets and one can assume that our domestic market will also take a hit.

It will be interesting to see where the price point sits where consumer and producer are happy.