Lexi Webster
Australia exports cattle to many countries, with Indonesia being its largest market for live cattle. In 2019, Australia exported 1.3 million head of cattle, with Indonesia accounting for 675,874 of those. Other countries that Australia exports cattle to include Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China. China is a key destination for Australian meat exports, with trade increasing drastically in 2019. Australia's cattle exports are impacted by various factors, such as weather conditions and supply chain constraints, and face competition from other global producers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cattle exported in 2019 | 1.3 million |
| Australia's biggest customer in 2019 | Indonesia (675,874 head of cattle) |
| Number of cattle exported from Townsville in 2019 | 365,000 |
| Australia's largest market for live cattle | Indonesia |
| Other countries Australia exports cattle to | Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, China |
| Number of livestock exported in 2023/2024 | 1.289 million |
| Number of cattle exported in 2023/2024 | 746,829 |
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What You'll Learn
- Indonesia: Australia's biggest market for live cattle
- China: key destination for Australian meat exports
- Vietnam: Queensland cattle exports from Townsville
- Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore: other countries importing Australian livestock
- Lumpy skin disease: a threat to the live export industry
Indonesia: Australia's biggest market for live cattle
Indonesia is Australia's biggest market for live cattle exports. In the 2024-25 financial year, exports to Indonesia rose by 32% to 561,734 head of cattle, accounting for 72% of Australia's live cattle exports. This is a significant increase from the 2023-24 financial year, when breeder cattle exports to China and slaughter cattle to Vietnam were higher.
The strong demand for Australian cattle in Indonesia has been consistent, demonstrating its importance to cattle producers in northern Australia. In 2014-15, Indonesia took more than double the number of cattle than Vietnam, the second-largest export market at the time.
The Australian Live Export Council has attributed this demand to Indonesia's preference for specific breeds, such as grey Brahmans, which are believed to produce lighter-coloured meat favoured by Indonesian lot feeders. The performance of Australian cattle in Indonesian abattoirs, feedlots, wet markets, and supermarkets has also been a factor, with producers gaining valuable insights through marketplace tours.
Looking ahead, the relative weakness of the Australian dollar and good seasons in northern Australia indicate a strong supply of cattle for the Indonesian market in the coming months and years. The stability of supply and demand has been evident in the consistent increase in exports over the last two financial years.
Overall, Indonesia's large import volume and consistent demand for Australian live cattle make it a crucial market for Australia's cattle industry, contributing significantly to its export figures.
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China: key destination for Australian meat exports
China is a key destination for Australian meat exports. In 2022–23, Australia exported $2.3 billion of beef and veal to China, accounting for 21% of Australia's total beef and veal export value. China is also Australia's most important sheep meat export destination, and in 2024, export prices for Australian lamb showed strength, supported by strong demand from China. China's demand for high-quality agricultural and food products is growing rapidly, and the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) predicts that this demand will more than double by 2050.
China is Australia's largest agriculture, forestry, and fisheries export market, valued at an estimated $17.2 billion in 2023. This is a significant increase from 2019, when trade with China increased drastically due to a combination of factors. China is a rapidly growing market for Australian horticultural products, and under the ChAFTA agreement, all tariffs on horticultural products will be progressively eliminated. This includes the elimination of tariffs on nuts, citrus fruits, and other fruits, as well as fresh vegetables.
China also plays an important role in Australia's barley and sorghum trade, with key outcomes under ChAFTA including the elimination of tariffs on barley, sorghum, cotton seeds, malt, wheat gluten, and oats, among other products. ChAFTA has also created opportunities for Australian seafood in the Chinese market, with all tariffs on seafood exports eliminated in 2019.
Overall, China is a crucial market for Australian meat exports, contributing significantly to the country's economy and employment in the meat industry.
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Vietnam: Queensland cattle exports from Townsville
Australia exports cattle to many countries, with China being one of the key destinations. Other countries include Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales are the top three states driving red meat production and bovine exports. Queensland Live Exporters Association president Greg Pankhurst attributes the decrease in Vietnam and Indonesia's import activity to price-driven factors.
Townsville is a key supply port for the Vietnamese market, exporting slaughter-ready cattle preferred by Vietnamese importers. The Port of Townsville has seen a sharp decline of nearly 50% in cattle exports in 2025, with 94,155 head of cattle exported in the 2024-2025 financial year compared to 182,844 in the previous year. This decrease is attributed to reduced demand from Vietnam, increased competition from cheaper suppliers, and fluctuating seasonal conditions in North Queensland.
In 2024, the Port of Townsville achieved a record high of 182,844 head of cattle exported, a 66% increase from the previous year. Vietnam and Indonesia were the two major markets, with Vietnam receiving 49.93% and Indonesia 47.91% of the total exports. The port's annual forecast had been raised to 140,000 head, which was surpassed by the final count.
The Port of Townsville has been working to improve its systems and equipment to handle the increasing throughput of cattle exports. In 2020, Townsville exported almost 50,000 cattle in October alone, with Vietnam accounting for about 40% of total exports, while Indonesia accounted for 60%. Townsville benefits from having nearby feedlots, providing an additional source of cattle for export.
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Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore: other countries importing Australian livestock
Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Singapore are among the many countries that import livestock from Australia.
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, which has long been a significant destination for Australian sheep meat exports. In 2016-17, Jordan was Australia's twelfth largest sheep meat market by volume. In 2021, Egypt imported 575,000 sheep from Australia, down from two million in 2017.
Turkey has been a destination for Australian live sheep exports since at least 1845.
In 2013-14, Australia exported 50,080 cattle to Russia. However, in 2014, Russia imposed a 12-month ban on food imports from the West, including Australia, in response to sanctions over Ukraine.
In 2018, a Kuwaiti livestock company, Al Mawashi, began looking beyond Australia for sheep imports after an Australian lawmaker proposed legislation to ban the export of live sheep.
Pakistan is emerging as a major export destination for Australian dairy cows and genetics. A partnership between HRM Dairies in Pakistan and Genetics Australia has resulted in shipments of semen and live animals from Australia to Pakistan.
Singapore is a re-export hub for Australian red meat, serving markets in South East and North Asia.
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Lumpy skin disease: a threat to the live export industry
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease that causes economic devastation in the global livestock industry. It is characterised by multiple raised nodules on the skin of infected animals and was first reported in Zambia in 1929. Since then, it has spread beyond Africa into the Middle East and Asia, with recent outbreaks in countries like Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, and Vietnam. The disease affects all cattle breeds and water buffalo, causing high morbidity and lower mortality rates. The spread of LSD is primarily through mechanical transmission by blood-feeding vectors such as biting flies and mosquitoes.
As LSD continues to expand its geographical range, it poses a significant threat to the live export industry, including in Australia. The live animal export industry in Australia is a crucial part of the country's economy, with China being one of the key destinations for meat exports. The impact of LSD on this industry could result in substantial economic losses. Outbreaks in countries that import Australian livestock, such as China, could lead to trade barriers and restrictions on the export of live animals, meat, and meat products.
The potential incursion of LSD into Australia is also a concern. Australian tourists visiting affected areas, such as Bali in Indonesia, increase the risk of introducing LSD into the country. An outbreak in Australia would have devastating consequences for the livestock industry, with estimated losses in the millions of dollars. The disease could cause direct losses through reduced milk yield, lower meat production, and death of infected animals. Additionally, indirect losses due to trade restrictions and export barriers are expected to be even higher.
To mitigate the threat of LSD to the live export industry, strict biosecurity measures, insecticides, and proper surveillance are essential. Regular awareness campaigns and vaccinations can also help minimise the risk of outbreaks. Given the potential economic impact, a coordinated effort between local, state, and federal governments, along with regional and global collaboration, is necessary to effectively control and prevent the spread of LSD.
Overall, the lumpy skin disease poses a significant challenge to the live export industry, including in Australia. The potential for economic losses and disruptions to trade underscores the importance of proactive measures to control and eradicate the disease, thereby protecting the industry and ensuring the continued supply of meat exports from Australia to global markets.
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Frequently asked questions
Indonesia. In 2019, Indonesia took 675,874 head of cattle, up 15% from 2018.
Australia exports cattle to many countries, including Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China.
Australia exported nearly 1.3 million head of cattle in 2019, which was up 19% from the previous year.
Queensland. Nearly 365,000 head of cattle were exported from Townsville in 2019, up 41% from 2018.
A number of ships, mostly converted container ships, are used to move animals from Australia to other countries.
