September 5, 2020

 

'Australian red meat reputation remains in good standing with global consumers'

 

 

Despite experiencing one of the most challenging years on record in 2019, Australian red meat continues to be recognised as a high-quality protein of choice across the globe, the "State of the Industry Report 2020", produced by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), said.

 

The report, released on Wednesday, Sept. 2, provides an overview of Australia's red meat and livestock industry, including figures on production, consumption, exports, the economic significance of the industry and key issue snapshots.

 

MLA Managing Director Jason Strong said the report highlights the resilience of Australian red meat producers in the face of both domestic and global challenges.

 

He noted that drought intensified across the eastern states and the Bureau of Meteorology officially declared 2019 as the hottest and driest year on record in Australia.

 

"Cattle and sheep producers were forced to de-stock, driving the national herd and flock to historical lows. The national bushfire crisis further tested the resilience of many producers", he said.

 

In good shape

 

Despite the challenges, Strong said Australia's red meat industry was in good shape. "We were the largest exporter of sheep meat and the second-largest beef exporter after Brazil in 2019, accounting for nearly a quarter of total red meat traded", Strong said.

 

In 2018-19, he said red meat exports totalled $17.2 billion, increasing 16% year-on-year and 43% higher than the 2013–14 levels. 

 

"China's position as a key market for Australian red meat continued to grow, with the outbreak of African swine fever driving demand for protein to the market. China's market share of Australian beef exports in 2019 was 27%, followed by Japan with 23% and the United States with 22%", Strong said.

 

He also said that while the long-term economic impact of COVID-19 will be severe, Australia's standing as a provider of high-quality red meat product, both domestically and globally, "has somewhat sheltered the sector from the worst of the economic fallout".