US cattle producers call out Australian Wagyu exports

Wagyu beef has attracted the ire of the US National Cattlemen’s Beef Association which says Australian exports are dominating the market.

Australia’s multi billion-dollar Wagyu industry is on watch as it waits to see the fallout from any tariff moves by United States president Donald Trump.

Wagyu beef contributes to the 4 per cent grain-fed portion of Australia’s beef exports to the US, but it’s attracted the ire of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association which has highlighted the trade in its submission on unfair trade practices.

NCBA government affairs executive director Kent Bacus said Australian exports of Wagyu were dominated the market.

“The Australian beef industry estimates they own 48 per cent of total Wagyu beef sales in the US, while the Us has 41 per cent of sales,” Mr Bacus said.

“Australian Wagyu beef is a niche product that is part of the expanding Australian grain-finished beef sector, and the Australians are focusing their efforts on capturing more of the Wagyu demand in the US.”

Mr Bacus said the Australian push was concerning for its members.

“Australia’s unrestricted access to the US market, coupled with the weak $A, will continue to undermine US Wagyu sales in this highly competitive niche market,” he said.

“(US) seedstock members have also felt pressure from growing interest in Australian

Wagyu genetics imports due to the weak $A.

“The weak $A coupled with the one-sided trade deal is not going to help the US cattle herd recover any sooner - we need action.”

The Australian Wagyu Association declined to comment and said it had “no role in tariff or market negotiations”.

The US imported 1.373 billion tonnes of beef in the 12 months to August, 2024, with Canada the dominant player with 25 per cent of the market share. Mexico came in next with 22 per cent and Australia third at 15 per cent.

Last year, the US was Australia’s biggest export destination for beef, where exports lifted 60 per cent year on year to 394,716 tonnes.