Beef and veal exports break an all-time month record

More than 40 countries have been the destination for Australia’s beef and veal, as exports break a new record for May.

Australia is forging new beef and veal export records, with the largest amount on record shipped for the month of May.

There were 129,477 tonnes of beef exported in May to more than 40 countries, compared to 113,923 for the same time last year. It was the third-highest on record and largest ever for the month of May.

According to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry data Asia imported the most beef and veal with 78,473 tonnes in May, including Japan (19,803 tonnes) and South Korea (17,409 tonnes) while the US took 38,431 tonnes, an increase of 3 per cent on April and 23 per cent higher than May 2024.

Beef exports to China were up 11 per cent on April to 23,877 tonnes — 55 per cent higher than May 2024.

So far this financial year Australia has exported 2.18m tonnes of meat, compared to 1.9m last year.

Beef and veal have hit a new record for the month of May, while total exports continue to steam ahead. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Queensland were the major contributors to the export market, delivering 66,186 tonnes of beef and veal compared to 56,894 at the same time last year, followed by Victoria with 27,867 tonnes compared to 24,166, and NSW 21,838 tonnes.

Victoria has exported 611,928 tonnes of product this financial year to May, including 287,984 tonnes of beef and veal. Lamb led the way with 146,936 tonnes, followed by mutton (91,283), fancy meat (57,981), goat (22,226) and pork (5517).