New Zealand & Australian meat industry FAQs
What is the meat industry?
The meat industry is often thought of as referring to the production of fresh red meat for consumers. However, the meat industry as a whole also encompasses the production of chicken and other poultry for human consumption, as well as cold meats like salami and ham (also known as “smallgoods”).
How big is the meat industry in Australia?
In 2019, the domestic supply and export of Australian red meat totalled $28.5 billion in sales, and in the same year Australia was the second largest beef exporter in the world. With the global meat consumption increasing year on year, we can expect to see the size of the Australian meat industry to grow.
How much meat does New Zealand produce?
The New Zealand meat industry processes around 25 million sheep and five million cattle every year. (source: NZ Meat Industry Association).
How much meat is produced in Australia?
Meat production in Australia varies based on the type of livestock. Typically there has been a year on year growth across most segments of the industry.
As of 2020, the amount of meat produced in Australia was:
| Animal | Average amount of meat produced in Australia from 2019-2020 |
| Cattle | 196,106 tonnes |
| Calves | 2,196 tonnes |
| Sheep | 16,882 tonnes |
| Lamb | 39,894 tonnes |
| Pigs | 33,392 tonnes |
Who is the largest beef producer in Australia?
In Australia, the largest beef and cattle producer is the Australian Agricultural Company, which has been operating since 1824.
What are the challenges to the Australian & New Zealand meat industry?
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