Strong global demand sees red meat exports reach $717 million during August

Strong global demand saw New Zealand red meat exports reach $717 million during August, a 22 per cent increase year-on-year, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

The United States was the largest overall market by value for the month, up nine per cent on August 2025, to $203 million.

Exports to China continued to recover, up 39 per cent by value to $150 million, and the UK increased by 109 per cent, to $48 million.

Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the MIA, said there was strong global demand and relatively tight global supply of red meat.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Meat Price Index hit an all-time high during August.

“Sheepmeat volumes increased by 15 per cent from low levels last August but value increased by 54 per cent.

“The average value of sheepmeat for the month was $13.44/kg. This was slightly below the record value recorded in June but still 34 per cent higher than last August.

“We are continuing to see strong demand from the EU for sheepmeat, partly being driven by lower EU domestic production

“While the volume of beef exports fell slightly, by one per cent, compared to last August, value increased by 18 per cent. At $11.12/kg, it was slightly below the record levels seen earlier this year but was still 19 per cent higher than 12 months ago.

“There are also encouraging signs of recovery in Chinese demand for both sheepmeat and beef.”

Any effects from the additional 15 per cent US tariff, which came into effect on 7 August, are not expected to show up until the September or October export data, she says.

While the US tariff on Australian imports has stayed at 10 per cent, the volume of Australian sheepmeat to the US was down by six per cent compared to last August and there was also a small drop in Australian beef exports to the US.

Sheepmeat

Overall sheepmeat exports during August were 19,134 tonnes, totalling $257 million.

China was the largest market by volume, increasing by one per cent to 6,993 tonnes with value up 29 per cent to $49 million.

It was followed by the EU where volume rose 41 per cent to 3,558 tonnes and value by 88 per cent to $76 million.

The US was the third largest market, with volume up 20 per cent to 2,531 tonnes and value up 33 per cent to $48 million.

Beef

An overall 28,832 tonnes of beef was exported, worth $321 million.

The US was again the largest beef market for the month. Although volumes to the US fell 13 per cent to 9,585 tonnes, value was up one per cent to $119 million.

Beef volumes to China increased by 29 per cent to 8,619 tonnes with value up 52 per cent to $71 million.

Canada was the third largest beef market for the month, with exports of 2,306 tonnes worth $26 million.

The largest growth for beef was from the UK where volume was up 219 per cent to 1,584 tonnes with value growing by 289 per cent to $19 million.

UK beef production is currently tracking below 2024 levels, with one of the factors behind the increase in imports from New Zealand and Australia.  

Fifth quarter

Fifth quarter exports were down slightly by six per cent to $139 million. The three largest export categories for the month were blood products and glands, up 25 per cent to $28 million, prepared meat products, down 12 per cent to $26 million and casings and tripe, up 37 per cent to $23 million.

ENDS