19 November 2021

2 minute read

Oceania

Pasture growth is expected to surge and strengthen the national herd rebuild into 2022, said Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections.

MLA’s Market Information Manager, Stephen Bignell, said good seasonal conditions across the eastern states and southern Western Australia continued to underpin demand and confidence in the sector.

“The cattle market continues at historic highs, with restocker and feeder demand fuelling record prices at the saleyard, which is flowing along the supply chain,” Bignell said.

“The extent of rain post-drought has resulted in slaughter being revised down to 6 million head for 2021, the lowest level in 36 years," he continued. "While carcase weights are still expected to reach record levels, they have been revised slightly down to 308kg, bringing overall production estimates to 1,848 tonnes carcase weight (ctw)."

Bignell said the rebuild is expected to continue into 2022. The favorable harvest conditions of 2020 and 2021 have also allowed the country to establish a feed grain buffer that should hold should conditions in 2022 unexpectedly deteriorate. 

Australia was a leading exporter of beef globally, Bignell said, with Korea remaining a strong and reliable market. Japan continues to purchase the most Australian beef.

“Australia has exported 660,568 tonnes of beef for the year-to-date, with 17% lower volumes for the year-to-September. Lower export volumes have been the result of both supply and demand factors. Most key export markets have fallen compared to 2020 volumes except for South Korea, which has held steady at a 2% increase this year,” Bignell said.

“Strong consumer purchasing power and sophisticated retail, foodservice and food manufacturing sectors, combined with a positive image of Australia as a trusted source for tasty and high quality will continue to underpin long-term growth for Australian beef exports to Japan.”