FY26 was a year of progress and success, despite the challenges we faced.
If one thing is true in agriculture, it’s that nothing ever stays the same for long. That was once again the case in FY26, as Australia’s red meat sector stepped its way through a range of domestic and international challenges.
We began the financial year with many producers reaching breaking point and forced to sell livestock as months of drought took their toll in southern parts of the country.
The northern wet season saw flooding rains for the second year in a row. Whilst stock losses weren’t as severe as the floods of 2025, the volume of water that swept across properties in Queensland’s Gulf was no less devastating for those experiencing it.
At the same time, China formally announced a new beef safeguard that sent shock waves up and down the value chain. The 205,000 tonne quota is around two-thirds of what Australia exported there the previous year, prompting fears trade could be impacted by up to $1 billion in that region alone.
Australia’s red meat supply chain came under pressure again when the Middle East conflict began. Oil prices jumped sharply, with diesel prices following quickly, putting pressure on inputs, transport and a range of everyday costs through rural, regional and remote Australia.
Concern about the outcome of Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A–EU FTA) negotiations and the ongoing uncertainty relating to United States (US) tariffs further weighed on the minds of producers and industry throughout the period.
Challenge isn’t unfamiliar to Australia’s red meat sector. It’s been a constant through the more than 200 years that our commercial industry has operated. Though with each issue we face, our resilience grows and we become stronger and better able to respond to the next challenge that is inevitably just around the corner.
MLA has been a constant through the year’s challenges; a trusted partner and service provider, leading the industry’s research and development, driving adoption, securing new customers through our marketing activities and helping enable improved market access.
Market report
Notwithstanding the challenges, Australia continues to see strong results across domestic and international red meat production and consumption.
In FY26, Australia exported 2.37 million tonnes of red meat to 103 markets globally. This was in line with the record numbers that we saw the previous year, indicating the strength of our export program.
Beef exports rose sharply, reaching 1.65mt, lamb exports were 322,583 tonnes, mutton exports reached 172,328 tonnes and goatmeat exports were 59,711 tonnes.
In FY26, 682,294 live cattle, 75,480 live sheep and 37,914 goats were exported.
The outlook is also positive. The national cattle herd is expected to remain broadly stable above 30 million in 2026, with beef production to approach record levels and exceed 2.9 million tonnes.
Australia’s sheep flock and production declined marginally in the 2026 financial year but is anticipated to increase again in 2027 and 2028, and the Australian goat industry is projected to continue its growth trajectory in 2026, setting records in carcase weight and exports.
Trust and social capital
The strong industry outcomes are built on a foundation of trust. Trust in our producers and farmers. Trust in the way they raise their livestock, their animal welfare and sustainability practices and the consistently high-quality red meat they produce.
MLA insights showed that consumer trust remains high at 65% in 2025-26. This is a credit to livestock producers and the many others who operate across Australia’s red meat supply chains.
The result reflects the strength of the systems and standards that underpin the industry’s reputation. World-leading traceability systems, together with sustained investment in sustainability and animal welfare initiatives, continue to build confidence in Australian red meat among consumers both domestically and internationally.
We communicate those processes, our actions and activities through our marketing and education programs. Combined, they help to increase social capital and build the trust I referred to.
Australian Good Meat is the platform under which MLA shares the industry’s sustainable livestock practices and the positive outcomes producers are achieving in doing so.
In FY26, the Australian Good Meat program reached around 100 million people, with 53 million video views, and 52 million engagements.
MLA’s education program supports teachers and students through training, and the provision of resources and other materials.
In 2026, school resources and programs were promoted to over 120,000 education sector stakeholders through education digital marketing platforms.
The growing trust is evidenced in our markets around the world.
For example, the Aussie Beef, Lamb and Goat logos continue to expand their global presence and now feature in more than 40,000 retail and foodservice outlets worldwide.
These are great outcomes, and a great foundation for continued growth and optimism.
Board business
It’s been a pleasure meeting stakeholders across the country to share more about our activities in FY26.
The Board is united in its support of MLA’s Management Team as it delivers the Strategic Plan 2030.
We commenced the process through the period, to appoint two non-Executive Directors to the Board. The appointments are part of MLA’s annual Board renewal process, which ensures the organisation maintains a strong, skills-based governance structure aligned to the needs of the red meat industry.
We look forward to presenting the successful candidates to members for election, at the 2026 Annual General Meeting, and I look forward to working with you to build on the progress of this year as we move into 2027.