Australia: Livestock and Products Semi-annual
Drought in major cattle regions in Australia has significantly increased slaughter and production as producers bring forward turnoff, depressing domestic prices but boosting exports. In 2014, total slaughter will exceed 9.6 million and production is expected to be over 2.5 million tonnes. Live cattle exports are expected to reach 1.4 million in 2014 before declining the following year. In 2015, the diminished herd size is likely to impose supply constraints on exports, including to the United States. Rising international demand and domestic shortages will strengthen beef prices in Australia as domestic supplies contract. Pig production is expected to be relatively stable at 365,000 tonnes in 2015.
