Beef export update
April 2025 - Beef export update
April 2025 saw a strong rebound in beef export flows offshore, increasing by 13% over the month to 127,172 tonnes swt. This is the strongest April beef export flows on record, and only 2% below the highest recorded month of beef exports on record of any month. Compared to April 2024 the current beef trade flows are nearly 21% stronger and sit a comfortable 57% higher than the average export flows for April, based upon the last five years of the trade.
Market share of the top trade destinations hasn’t altered too much with the USA on top spot at nearly 30% of the export flows. China remains in second place in a close tussle with Japan, each on 18.8% and 17.4% – respectively. Meanwhile South Korea are in fourth position accounting for nearly 15% of the total trade.
A summary of the top trade locations, in order of top market share for 2025, is as follows:
USA – The USA saw its strongest April flows since 2015 with 37,213 tonnes of beef exported from Australia to America. This is a 15% increase on the March trade volumes, 37% higher than April 2024 and a whopping 141% above the April average trade levels, based upon the last five years of the trade.
China – There were more moderate lifts to Chinese demand for Aussie beef over April with a 6% increase noted from the March trade levels. There was 21,572 tonnes exported in April, which represents levels that are 45% higher than April 2024 and 38% above the five-year average for April.
Japan – The Aussie beed trade to Japan saw a promising 15% increase during April to hit 21,444 tonnes shipped. This places Japanese demand back above the seasonal average trend after spending a few months registering below average flows. Compared to the five year average pattern the current beef export levels are sitting 15% stronger and have almost matched the trade volumes seen this time last year.
South Korea – Beef trade to South Korea also managed to finish at above average levels with a solid 23% lift in volumes seen during April. There was 20,076 tonnes of Aussie beef reported shipped, which is the second strongest month on record of any month. Just falling short of the record from the record set in July 2024 by 1.2%. Compared to April 2024 the current trade flows are 27% higher and sit 49% above the five-year average flows for April.
