That’s the way to go, Wagyu

Livestock | 10th June 2021 | By Matt Dalgleish

The Snapshot

  • Over the last decade new wagyu calf registration have increased from 4,500 to nearly 18,000 head per annum.
  • As a proportion of total cattle breed registrations, Wagyu has increased from 2.5% in 2004 to 8.6% in 2020.
  • Wagyu registrations have lifted by 74% over the 2016 to 2020 period.

The Detail

Growth in the Australian Wagyu market during 2013-2018 stemmed from increased competitiveness in exports and the entrant of new major buyers in the market, adding pressure to domestic supply. Producers responded to these promising signals and price premiums , with seed stock markets receiving simultaneous growth. Over the last decade new wagyu calf registration have increased from 4,500 to nearly 18,000 head per annum.

During the 2018/19 season a flood of F1 Wagyu saw prices and Wagyu premiums come under significant pressure. However, recent price data from the Australian Wagyu Association website (data provided by Auctions Plus) shows that Wagyu premiums have returned to the sector during 2020.

By 2020, the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) was the fourth largest herd-book registrations of all Australian cattle breed societies.  As a proportion of total cattle breed registrations, Wagyu has increased from 2.5% in 2004 to 8.6% in 2020.

Over the last five years wagyu registrations have grown the most of all cattle breed types, according to the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association (ARCBA) data. Wagyu registrations have lifted by 74% over the 2016 to 2020 period.

Tags

  • Beef
  • Cattle
  • Wagyu