The red meat industry
Australia’s red meat and livestock industry makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy.
In 2022–23, Australia’s red meat and livestock industry turnover was $81.7 billion. This is 2.2% below revised 2021–22 figures, though an increase of 6.3% on 2018–19 figures(1).Industry turnover is defined as income generated by businesses within the industry from the sales of goods and services.
In 2022–23, the Australian red meat and livestock industry employed approximately 418,921 people(1).
Download the State of the Industry Report 2024: The Australian red meat and livestock industry
Australia’s beef industry
- In 2023, Australia produced approximately 2.2 million tonnes carcase weight (cwt) of beef and veal(5)
- In the 2024 financial year, 2.8 million grainfed cattle were marketed (feedlot turnoff), a 4% lift on FY 2023 levels(2)
- In 2023, Australia exported 67% of its total beef and veal production(3)
- The value of total beef and veal exports in 2023 was A$11.3 billion(4).
Find out fast facts about the beef cattle industry
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Australia’s sheepmeat industry
- In 2023, Australia produced 602,184 tonnes cwt of lamb and 247,065 tonnes cwt of mutton(5)
- Total sheepmeat production (lamb and mutton) was 849,249 tonnes cwt in 2023, 19.6% above year-ago levels(5)
- In 2023, Australian lamb exports totalled 326,014 tonnes shipped weight (swt), the highest on record and 15% above year-ago levels (5)
- Australian mutton exports were 209,580 tonnes swt in 2023, up 46% year-on-year and the highest on record(7)
- The value of Australian sheepmeat (lamb and mutton) exports in 2023 was $4.4 billion, down 4% from the previous year(4).
Find out fast facts about the sheepmeat industry
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Australia’s goatmeat industry
- Goat production in 2023 increased 29.7% to 36,904 tonnes cwt(5)
- Goat slaughter totalled 2.4m head in 2023, up 41.4% year-on-year and 53% above the five-year average, the largest year for goat slaughter on record(5)
- Australian goat carcase weights averaged 15.6kg/head in 2023, down 7.7% on the 2022 carcase weights(5).
Sharing red meat’s story
In August 2018, MLA launched a new online platform that provides consumers with an open and trusted source of information about the production of beef, sheep and goat meat in Australia.
Good Meat demonstrates how Australian red meat is produced sustainably, in high welfare systems and is an important part of a healthy balanced diet.
Good Meat is also home to a range of educational resources including study guides, classroom posters, lesson and activity sheets, virtual farm visits, digital lessons and online board games.
Sources
(1) IBIS World, ABARES
(2) MLA/ALFA Feedlot Survey
(3) MLA estimate
(4) IHS Markit
(5) ABS
(6) ABS, DA, IHS Markit
(7) DAWE
