Australia's beef sector hit record production levels in the first quarter of this year, with growing demand from the Chinese market helping to power the strong start in the pillar industry amid global challenges.
Australia produced 730,077 metric tons of beef in the three months to March, up 2 percent compared to the preceding quarter and up 8 percent over the first quarter of 2025, marking "the largest first quarter beef production result on record" and reinforcing the scale of cattle supply, according to Meat & Livestock Australia, or MLA, the industry's marketing and research body.
"The result follows record production levels in 2025 and shows the sector has carried strong throughput into the new year. High processing volumes were driven by an intense global demand, sustained by a continuation of favorable seasonal conditions across northern Australia," MLA's Senior Market Information Analyst Emiliano Diaz said in a statement on May 22.
Growth in the Chinese mainland market accounted for a significant part of the performance, the MLA said. China's share of Australian beef exports grew to 21 percent in the first quarter, up from about 18 percent in the corresponding period a year ago, according to industry figures.
