Australian’s May beef exports surge to third highest on record

Australian’s beef exports in May surged to their third highest volume level on record, reaching 129,478 tonnes. The number was the largest May tonnage ever seen, and it means that the three largest monthly shipment volumes on record have all been seen in the past 12 months. Only July and October last year have shown larger in-month trade volumes, with October’s record reaching 130,048t.

The 2025 year-to-date is at all time record-setting pace, and short of some major climatic or market access disaster, is setting the industry up for record-rivalling annual shipments by the end of December.

Shipments to all export markets for the January-May five month period have reached 567,625 tonnes, up 15pc on the same period last year, Beef Central reported.

May exports to US east and west coast ports reached 38,431t, up 3pc on the previous month, and 23pc higher than May last year. Calendar year to date, Aussie trade into the US is now at 167,700t, up 32pc on the same five months last year.

As widely anticipated, China has jumped into second place last month for Australian export volume, as the effect of 45pc tit-for-tat tariffs on US beef take full effect. Exports to China last month reached 23,877t, up 11pc on the previous month, and a massive 55pc higher than May last year. Calendar year to date, Australian exports to China are now at almost 102,000t, up 33pc on the same five months a year ago.

Japan was a fair way behind China last month as an export customer, taking 19,800t, down 8pc on the month before, and 22pc behind May last year. Year-to-date trade into Japan is now at almost 96,000t, back 11pc on last year.