South Australia's meaty growth in exports

People internationally are experiencing some of South Australia’s finest meat as exports surge $573 million in the past year to a new peak of $1.64 billion.

Supporting regional jobs and communities, the growth has been experienced across the smorgasbord, with significant increases recorded in each of the state’s top 15 meat export markets, ranging from 28 to 107 per cent.

Meat exported to the United States has seen an uptick of +$273 million, +$60 million to South Korea, +$34 million to Japan, +$17 million to China and +$22 million to Malaysia, totalling $1.17 billion in the past 12 months.

Through the Department of State Development, the market diversification strategy is paying dividends with 15 separate markets now each buying more than $20 million of South Australian meat.

During the last financial year, the department supported 582 South Australian businesses to take part in inbound and outbound trade missions to markets including Japan, Korea, China, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore – all aimed at maintaining and growing access for South Australian exporters.

“South Australia’s meat, headlined by our premium beef and lamb, is desired the world over, so it’s not surprising to see demand surging,” said Tori Dixon-Whittle, CEO of Food South Australia. 

“We will continue to work with our meat industry and with the state and federal governments to ensure they have the best possible access to markets. Broader market access maximises the value for South Australian business and supports the creation of more jobs.”

The first of its kind Trade and Investment Strategy, launched earlier this year, sets out a clear roadmap to capture the demand being experienced by a growing middle-class around the world, with Southeast Asia defined as a priority market for food and agribusiness exports.

At the same time, established partners remain vital, with the US holding its position as the state’s most valuable meat export market, worth more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to the South Australian economy. 

Beef exports have been the standout performer, more than doubling to reach $849.3 million, while lamb exports have climbed by nearly 20 per cent to $716.8 million. Meat from pigs (+20.7 per cent), goats (+78.9 per cent), poultry (+18.2 per cent) and other species contributed more than $70 million to the South Australian economy in the past year. 

More than 229,000 jobs in South Australia are linked to exports, with more than 15 per cent of the state’s gross state product attributable to trade.