AUSTRALIAN beef exports have totalled 1.27 million tonnes, the largest year to date volume on record and 15% higher than 2024, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show.
Cattle slaughtered reached 2.48 million head during the September quarter, up 6% on the June quarter and 10% year-on-year.
Meat and Livestock Association global supply analyst Tim Jackson said strong production was a key factor.
“As Australia exports the majority of its red meat, this increase in beef production is directly tied to increases in exports,” he said.
Queensland led the charge with “one of the largest quarters for processing ever”.
New South Wales and Victoria also posted strong numbers.
Beef production hit a quarterly record of 759,270 tonnes, with New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all setting new highs. Tasmania saw a slight decline.
Carcass weights remained steady at 307kg, slightly below last year’s average, but consistent with seasonal trends.
MLA manager for market information Stephen Bignell said strong seasonal conditions across northern Australia underpinned the surge in cattle numbers.
“From January to September, Australia produced 2.16 million tonnes of beef, 13% higher than the same period last year,” Mr Bignell said.
“This quarter alone saw the highest cattle slaughter since 1978, and record beef production across key states.”
Female slaughter rates eased nationally to 53%, down from 54.5% in Q2, with reductions in New South Wales and Queensland following record highs earlier in the year.
Western Australia was the only state to lift its female slaughter.
At the same time, sheep and lamb slaughter has ‘eased significantly’ following last year’s peak turnoff.
National sheep slaughter fell to 2 million head, down 20% on the previous quarter and 26% below the 2024 third quarter.
New South Wales recorded the largest drop, falling by 190,000 head to 740,000, followed by Western Australia and South Australia.
Victoria remained the largest turnoff state at 825,600 head, down 5%.
Mutton production mirrored the trend, dropping 13% to 52,341 tonnes, the lowest since the 2022 third quarter.
Victoria was the only state to lift output, raised by 5% to 19,816 tonnes, while NSW, South Australia and Western Australia all recorded double-digit declines.
Despite lower volumes, sheep carcase weights rose to 26.1kg, the heaviest since late 2023, with NSW averaging 28.2kg.
Lamb slaughter fell by 23% to 5.2 million head, the lowest since March 2022.
Tasmania saw the steepest decline at 48%, followed by South Australia and Western Australia.
Production dropped 25% to 126,171 tonnes, the lowest since December 2021, with Victoria, the largest lamb-producing state, down 22% to 66,922 tonnes.
Carcass weights remained stable at 24.3kg, with slight lifts in South Australia and Tasmania likely due to increased grain feeding.
Mr Bignell said the contrasting weather patterns have reflected on the market dynamics.
“Cattle numbers are being supported by strong pasture conditions and herd rebuilding, while sheep and lamb turnoff is easing after last year’s peak,” he said.