Strong competition among exporters to secure Australia’s limited China quota for 2026 accelerated shipments to the Asian market.
According to DAFF data, Australia exported 32,907 tons of beef to China in March, the highest monthly volume since December 2019, more than six years ago. As a result, China imported 76,562 tons in the first quarter, up 35% year-on-year.
Nevertheless, the United States remained the main destination for Australian beef, with 42,084 tons in March and 105,783 tons in the quarter, up 30% and 15% year-on-year, respectively.
In total, Australia exported nearly 150 thousand tons of beef in March, the highest volume since July and the second-largest monthly figure on record.
