Grainfed beef exports surge to record highs

Australian grainfed beef exports reached record levels in June and across the entire 2024–25 financial year, said Beef Central. June shipments hit nearly 40,000 tons, beating the previous record of 37,000 tons set in April. Fiscal year exports totaled close to 404,000 tons, far surpassing last year’s record of 344,000 tons.

All of the top ten monthly grainfed export volumes in history occurred within the last year, reflecting strong growth in feedlot production and reduced US grainfed output. This trend is being driven by growing international demand and limited US supply, particularly due to licensing and tariff issues affecting US beef access to China.

What makes this achievement more striking is that it's being done with fewer cattle than during the last record-setting period in 2014–15. Heavier carcass weights have helped offset the smaller slaughter numbers, a sign of improved productivity.

MLA estimates suggest that adjusted adult cattle slaughter for 2024–25 will reach 8.78 million head—well below the 9.4 million of FY2015—but with significantly improved efficiency.

Australia’s grainfed sector is firmly establishing itself as a major export powerhouse, with the momentum likely to continue through the rest of 2025.