Search our website enhanced by Google.
Australian beef sector forecast
Thursday, 18 February 2021
After contracting for two years, the national cattle herd is expected to increase by 2% to 25.2 million head in 2021 as it enters a rebuild phase, in analysis published by Meat and Livestock Australia. This rebuild comes after Australian cattle numbers fell to their lowest level in two decades in 2020 following prolonged severe drought.
Australian cattle Industry projections:
- 2021 Slaughter: 6.9 million head
- Carcase weights: 301.3 kg/head
- Production: 2.1 million tonnes (cwe)
- Beef exports: 1.1 million tonnes (shipped weight)
Cattle supply is expected to tighten in 2021, as producers retain more breeding stock to rebuild their herds, leading slaughter levels fall further. Cattle slaughter is expected to fall 3% to 6.9 million head.
Feed availability and the growing size of the feedlot sector, with over 1 million head currently on feed, will contribute to rising carcase weights, in 2021 these are predicted to rise by 9.3kg/head to a record 301.3kg/head. Higher finished cattle prices may also encourage producers to add more weight.
Beef production is forecast to be 2.1 million tonnes, similar to levels recorded in 2020 but well below production during 2018 and 2019, when large-scale destocking took place.
Exports are expected to increase by 2% to 1.1 million tonnes, and MLA’s analysts expect global GDP to grow by 5% in 2021, supporting a recovery in the demand for beef.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.