By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
In a significant development for global agricultural trade, Australia has agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef, ending a restriction in place for roughly two decades. The agreement, announced by U.S. officials, addresses long-standing biosecurity concerns and is expected to provide American producers with new market opportunities, albeit on a modest scale.
The trade barrier stemmed from fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, which halted U.S. beef exports to Australia over 20 years ago. Prior the ban, before the turn of the century, annual exports averaged approximately 23 metric tons. Technical access was partially restored in 2019, limited to beef from cattle born, raised, and slaughtered exclusively in the U.S., with strict traceability requirements. The new deal introduces enhanced “movement controls” in the U.S. to verify the origins of cattle from Mexico and Canada, aligning with Australia’s stringent biosecurity requirements.
Kent Bacus, executive director of government affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, noted benefits for producers and consumers. He is cited by Beef Magazine as saying, “Opening the Australian market to American beef will benefit our producers at home while also offering Australian consumers the opportunity to enjoy our high-quality beef.”
Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins approved the U.S. improvements in biosecurity measures, deemed sufficient to manage biosecurity threats. This follows discussions in June, when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed openness to U.S. beef imports as part of broader tariff talks, while emphasizing that biosecurity laws would not budge.
Economically, the impact is expected to be limited. Analysts estimate U.S. beef processors could export $1 million-$2 million worth annually to Australia on the high side, a fraction compared to the $4 billion in beef Australia exported to the U.S. in 2024. Australia, boasting a population of over 27 million and a herd of more than 30 million cows, is a major global beef exporter, shipping $9 billion worth last year—about 70 percent of its production. It ranks among the top three beef exporters alongside the U.S. and Brazil.
Simon Quilty, an analyst with Global Agri Trends in Australia, downplayed the likelihood of substantial imports, citing high U.S. beef prices—roughly double those in Australia—and unfavorable exchange rates. “Very, very little U.S. beef will come to Australia. If there is a pound of U.S. beef shipped to Australia in the next three years, I’ll be gob-smacked,” Quilty reportedly said on his podcast.
Australia’s beef import history reflects its self-sufficiency; it reportedly snagged the No. 73 spot globally among importers last year, accepting just $3 million worth, mainly high-end Wagyu from Japan for the hospitality sector. The country’s National Livestock Identification System ensures full traceability through electronic tagging, a standard now mirrored by U.S. enhancements.
Looking ahead, industry outlooks suggest steady to rising Australian cattle prices amid near-record production levels. Rabobank forecasts the National Young Cattle Indicator to average 409 cents per kilogram in 2025, a 23 percent increase from 2024, with some upside potential driven by improving global demand, particularly from the U.S., though prices may stabilize around 410 cents per kilogram in 2026 due to potential drier conditions. The new agreement is evidence of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade ties in agriculture.
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