From paddock to plate to powerhouse, Australia's beef industry is carving out an impressive $11.3 billion in exports while feeding the world and innovating at home.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022-23, Australia produced 2.3 million tonnes (carcass weight equivalent) of beef and veal, a 1% increase from the previous year.
- Cattle slaughterings in Australia reached 8.3 million head in 2022-23, contributing to beef production volumes.
- Adult cattle slaughter accounted for 7.1 million head in 2022-23, up 3% from 2022-22.
- Australia exported 1.22 million tonnes of beef in 2022-23 (shipment weight).
- Beef exports to Japan reached 239,000 tonnes in 2022-23, valued at A$2.9 billion.
- United States imported 306,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2022-23.
- Domestic beef consumption in Australia was 850,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Per capita beef consumption in Australia averaged 24.5kg in 2022-23.
- Retail beef prices in Australia averaged A$22/kg in 2023.
- Beef industry contributed A$17.7 billion to Australian GDP in 2022-23.
- Beef sector employed 200,000 people directly and indirectly in 2023.
- Farmgate beef prices averaged A$6.50/kg in 2022-23.
- Greenhouse gas emissions from beef sector were 71 Mt CO2-e in 2022.
- 45% of beef methane emissions reduced via feed additives trials in 2023.
- 80% of Australian beef produced under MSA grading for quality.
Australia's robust beef industry grew production and exports significantly last year.
Domestic Consumption
- Domestic beef consumption in Australia was 850,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Per capita beef consumption in Australia averaged 24.5kg in 2022-23.
- Retail beef prices in Australia averaged A$22/kg in 2023.
- Household beef expenditure in Australia totaled A$4.2 billion in 2022-23.
- Lamb consumption outpaced beef slightly at 25kg per capita vs 24.5kg in 2022.
- Supermarket share of beef sales in Australia was 65% in 2023.
- Out-of-home beef consumption (restaurants) was 30% of total in 2022-23.
- Grass-fed beef preference among Australian consumers at 55% in 2023 survey.
- Wagyu beef domestic sales grew 20% to 5,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Average weekly beef purchase per household was 1.2kg in 2023.
- Beef mince accounted for 40% of domestic beef volume sales in 2022-23.
- Premium beef cuts consumption up 5% in urban areas in 2023.
- Regional Australia per capita beef intake was 28kg vs 22kg urban in 2022.
- Plant-based alternatives captured 2% of beef market share in 2023.
- BBQ season drove 15% spike in beef sales in December 2022.
- Aged care sector beef consumption was 50g per resident daily in 2023.
- School meal programs included beef in 40% of menus in 2022-23.
- Online beef sales grew 25% to A$500 million in 2022-23.
- Per capita consumption young adults 20-35yo 22kg beef.
- Families with children buy 1.5kg beef weekly avg.
- Steak sales 25% of retail beef volume 2023.
- Roast beef consumption down 5% post-COVID 2023.
- Butchers hold 25% beef sales market share.
- Foodservice beef volume recovered to 250,000t 2023.
- Grassfed label influences 60% purchase decisions.
- Wagyu domestic market A$300m value 2023.
- Bulk packs 10kg+ sales up 10% 2023.
- Rump steak avg price A$25/kg 2023.
- Rural households 30% higher beef intake.
- Flexitarians reduced beef 10% but still 20kg/capita.
- Christmas beef sales 50,000t nationwide.
- Hospital beef menus 60g per meal avg.
- Airline catering beef 5,000t annually.
- E-commerce beef 10% total retail 2023.
Domestic Consumption Interpretation
Australians are proving to be serious carnivores, albeit picky ones, as they collectively fork over billions to eat their way through mountains of beef—showing a distinct preference for grass-fed, often as mince for the family BBQ, while still splurging on premium steaks and Wagyu, even as a lamb quietly nibbles at their conscience and market share.
Economic Impact
- Beef industry contributed A$17.7 billion to Australian GDP in 2022-23.
- Beef sector employed 200,000 people directly and indirectly in 2023.
- Farmgate beef prices averaged A$6.50/kg in 2022-23.
- Export beef value added A$11.3 billion to economy in 2022-23.
- Beef processing added A$4.5 billion in value in 2022-23.
- 26,000 beef farms generated A$8.2 billion in gross value in 2021-22.
- Average beef farm cash income was A$250,000 in 2022-23.
- Regional economies received 70% of beef industry spending in 2023.
- Livestock transport contributed A$1.2 billion to economy in 2022.
- Beef R&D investment by MLA was A$45 million in 2022-23.
- Drought relief payments to beef producers totaled A$500 million in 2020-22.
- Beef levy collections reached A$450 million in 2022-23.
- Processor margins averaged 15% on beef sales in 2023.
- Beef contributed 12% to total agriculture GDP in 2022-23.
- 1,200 beef processing plants operated nationwide in 2023.
- Wholesale beef prices peaked at A$8/kg in Q4 2022.
- Beef industry multiplier effect generated A$66 billion total impact.
- Northern Australia beef farms exported 80% of output worth A$6b.
- Beef turnover A$15b at farmgate 2022-23.
- 150,000 direct jobs in beef supply chain.
- Saleyard prices peaked A$7/kg liveweight.
- International students boost demand A$200m.
- Abattoir employment 35,000 full-time equiv.
- Drought impacted farm income -20% 2022.
- Levy payer returns A$12 per $1 invested.
- NT beef GDP contribution A$2.5b.
- QLD beef 50% state ag value A$9b.
- Export multiplier 2.5x direct value.
- Women in beef industry 35% workforce.
- Indigenous employment 10% beef jobs.
- Retail markup avg 40% on beef.
- Beef R&D levy 40c/100kg HGC.
- Farm debt beef sector A$20b 2023.
- Beef land value avg A$2,500/ha.
- AMSL payments A$1b to beef farmers.
Economic Impact Interpretation
Beyond merely putting food on plates, Australia's beef industry is a powerhouse of economic protein, feeding a staggering $17.7 billion into the national GDP and a sense of purpose into 200,000 lives, proving that the real steak in the game is as much about community and resilience as it is about the price per kilo.
Exports
- Australia exported 1.22 million tonnes of beef in 2022-23 (shipment weight).
- Beef exports to Japan reached 239,000 tonnes in 2022-23, valued at A$2.9 billion.
- United States imported 306,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2022-23.
- China was Australia's largest beef export market with 290,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- South Korea imported 190,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2022-23.
- Beef exports to the United States hit a record 412,000 tonnes HGS in 2022.
- Australia supplied 40% of Japan's beef imports in 2022-23.
- Export value of Australian beef reached A$11.3 billion in 2022-23.
- Indonesia imported 80,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2022-23.
- Beef shipments to the Middle East totaled 50,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Australia exported 75% of its beef production in 2022-23.
- Vietnam beef imports from Australia were 45,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Taiwan took 60,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2022-23.
- EU beef exports from Australia reached 15,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Total beef export volume forecast for 2023-24 is 1.3 million tonnes.
- Australian beef export share to the US was 25% of total US imports in 2022.
- Japan premium beef imports from Australia valued at A$1.2 billion in 2022-23.
- China frozen beef imports from Australia up 15% to 200,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Beef exports to USA valued at A$3.2 billion in 2022-23.
- Japan grainfed beef imports from Aus 100,000 tonnes 2022-23.
- Korea premium beef from Aus up 10% to 50,000t 2023.
- China chilled beef exports record 20,000 tonnes 2022.
- Indonesia boxed beef imports 70,000t from Aus 2022-23.
- US grassfed beef imports from Aus 50,000t 2023.
- Middle East total beef value A$600m from Aus 2022-23.
- Vietnam working bullock meat 30,000t Aus origin.
- Taiwan high-end beef 55,000t from Aus 2022-23.
- EU tariff-free quota filled 80% with Aus beef.
- Mexico emerging market 10,000t Aus beef 2023.
- Philippines imports 25,000t Aus beef annually.
- Live cattle exports 1.1m head valued A$1.2b 2022-23.
- Japan total beef imports 700,000t with Aus 35% share.
- Korea total imports 400,000t Aus 45% share 2023.
Exports Interpretation
Despite punching well above its weight in both volume and value, Australia’s beef industry skillfully herds its premium cuts to every corner of the globe, proving that when it comes to feeding the world's appetite for quality meat, they’ve got it down to a fine art—and a multi-billion dollar science.
Production
- In 2022-23, Australia produced 2.3 million tonnes (carcass weight equivalent) of beef and veal, a 1% increase from the previous year.
- Cattle slaughterings in Australia reached 8.3 million head in 2022-23, contributing to beef production volumes.
- Adult cattle slaughter accounted for 7.1 million head in 2022-23, up 3% from 2022-22.
- Beef production in Queensland represented 58% of national total in 2022-23 at approximately 1.34 million tonnes.
- Average carcass weight for beef cattle in Australia was 289kg in 2022-23.
- Calf production in Australia was estimated at 1.2 million head slaughtered in 2022-23.
- Herd rebuilding in Australia led to a 2% increase in female cattle slaughter retention in 2023.
- National beef production forecast for 2023-24 is 2.4 million tonnes, up 4%.
- New South Wales contributed 16% to national beef production with 368,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Victoria's beef production was 232,000 tonnes in 2022-23, 10% of national output.
- Western Australia's beef production reached 195,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- South Australia's beef output was 118,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Tasmania produced 45,000 tonnes of beef in 2022-23.
- Northern Territory beef production was 130,000 tonnes in 2022-23.
- Beef farms in Australia numbered 26,578 in 2021-22, with an average size of 3,800 hectares.
- Total beef cattle inventory in Australia was 25.7 million head as of June 2023.
- Female cattle herd was 20.9 million head in June 2023, up 2%.
- In 2022-23, beef production from feedlots was 55% of total.
- Young cattle slaughterings hit 1.2 million head in 2022-23.
- Peak turn-off rates reached 200,000 head/week in late 2023.
- Export-oriented beef production was 75% of Queensland output.
- Average daily gain for beef cattle improved to 1.8kg/day.
- Breeding female retention rate was 92% in 2023.
- National lotfeeder inventory peaked at 1.1 million head.
- Victoria beef farms numbered 4,200 in 2021 census.
- WA live cattle exports contributed to 10% beef production.
- SA beef herd size 1.2 million head in 2023.
- Tasmania grass-fed beef dominant at 95% production.
- NT buffalo-beef cross production 5,000 tonnes annually.
- Beef farm productivity up 15% since 2010 via genetics.
- Male cattle inventory 4.8 million head June 2023.
Production Interpretation
Despite proudly churning out steaks at a pace that would make a short-order cook blush—with Queensland doing the heavy lifting and the herd thoughtfully replenishing itself between servings—Australia’s beef industry is a masterclass in calibrated, high-stakes farming, not just a chaotic meat parade.
Sustainability and Environment
- Greenhouse gas emissions from beef sector were 71 Mt CO2-e in 2022.
- 45% of beef methane emissions reduced via feed additives trials in 2023.
- 80% of Australian beef produced under MSA grading for quality.
- Regenerative agriculture adopted on 30% of beef farms by 2023.
- Water use per kg beef averaged 1,200 litres in efficient systems 2022.
- Beef carbon footprint targeted 90% reduction in net emissions by 2030.
- 95% of beef cattle grazed on pasture, low input systems.
- Soil carbon sequestration potential 20Mt CO2-e/year in beef lands.
- Antibiotic use in beef cattle down 25% since 2010 to 2023.
- Biodiversity programs covered 5 million ha of beef properties in 2023.
- Renewable energy on beef farms reached 15% of power use in 2023.
- Deforestation rate in beef grazing lands <0.5% annually 2022.
- Precision agriculture tech on 40% beef farms reducing inputs 2023.
- Beef industry recycled 90% of processing water in 2022-23.
- Natural resource management plans on 60% of beef farms 2023.
- Methane inhibitors trials showed 30% reduction in feedlot emissions.
- Organic beef production grew to 2% of total output in 2023.
- River health improved on 70% of riparian beef properties.
- Beef supply chain Scope 3 emissions tracked for 50% volume 2023.
- Cover cropping increased soil health on 25% beef farms 2022.
- Beef enteric methane 65% total emissions.
- Feed additives cut methane 15-20% trials.
- MSA program audits 100% farms annually.
- Pasture improvement 10m ha beef lands.
- Irrigation efficiency 80% in beef systems.
- Net zero roadmap covers 100% industry.
- Pasture-based 85% lifecycle emissions lower.
- Savanna burning reduces emissions 1Mt CO2.
- Vaccine use reduced antibiotics 40%.
- Wildlife corridors 2m ha on beef stations.
- Solar power 500MW capacity beef farms.
- Tree cover increased 5% beef landscapes.
- Satellite monitoring 20m ha grazing land.
- Effluent reuse 85% feedlots.
- Grazing pressure benchmarks met 75% properties.
- 3-NOP additive commercialised 2023.
- Certified humane 20% beef volume.
- Wetland restoration 100,000ha beef areas.
- Supply chain LCA 80% beef exported.
- Rotational grazing 50% farms soil health.
Sustainability and Environment Interpretation
Australia's beef industry is like a climate sinner enrolled in a rigorous redemption program, acknowledging its hefty 71 million tonne methane-burdened footprint while zealously investing in feed additives, soil carbon, and regen ag to hit a 90% net reduction target, all without letting the steak get tough.
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