The Australian beef industry is heavily reliant on export markets, with over 60% of its beef production being exported. In 2019, Australia exported 72% of its beef and veal production, with China accounting for 24% of these exports. The primary export destinations for Australian beef in 2024 include the United States, Korea, and Japan. With the latest tariffs being imposed from the Trump government in the US, this space will be interesting to watch.

CATTLE FACTS

• The pastoral industry remains
• a significant contributor to the Northern Territory’s economy. According to the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, pastoralists manage over 700,000 km² of land in the NT, with the cattle industry contributing over $1.2 billion annually to the Territory’s economy – directly and indirectly.
• This sector accounts for more than 80% of the NT’s primary production. Compare this to the broader agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry that contributed
• $805 million to the NT’s economy in 2021-22, representing 2.8% of the gross state product.
• In 2024, Darwin Port exported approximately 378,033 head of cattle, with the majority destined for Indonesia.
• Total live cattle exports from Australia to Indonesia in 2024 amounted to 537,274 head. 70% of Australia’s live cattle exports to Indonesia were shipped from Darwin.
• Australia’s live export industry is valued at over $1.3 billion as of 2022.
• Within this sector, LiveCorp, the industry body responsible for research and development, allocates approximately 40% of its total budget to projects and activities related to animal welfare.

BEEF

In 2024, Australia achieved record beef production, reaching approximately 2.57 million metric tonnes, marking a 16% increase from the previous year.

Notably, this production level was achieved despite processing 922,000 fewer cattle compared with 2014, attributed to advancements in genetics, land management, and an increased proportion of grain-fed cattle.

TOTAL CATTLE

Cattle farming occurs in all states and territories. While dairy cattle are mainly found in southern and coastal districts, beef cattle are concentrated in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

As of 2024, estimates of Australia’s cattle population vary between 25 million and 30.2 million head, depending on the source.

In 2024, cattle slaughter reached approximately 7.9 million head, marking an 11.7% increase from the previous year.

This rise in slaughter rates is part of a broader trend, with projections indicating a further increase to 8.3 million head in 2025.

The first cattle in Australia arrived with the First Fleet in January 1788. The cattle industry gradually increased in numbers and reached an all-time high in 1976, totalling 33.4 million head.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TRAVEL

BALI 2 HRS 30 MINS – 1,763 KM
SINGAPORE 4 HRS 20 MINS – 3,343 KM
HO CHI MINH CITY 4 HRS 45 MINS – 3,669 KM
MANILA 5 HRS 10 MINS – 3,264 KM
BANGKOK 6 HRS 45 MINS – 4,391 KM
AUCKLAND 7 HRS 45 MINS – 5,143 KM
JAPAN 7 HRS – 5,385 KM
LOS ANGELES 11 HRS 30 MINS – 14,054 KM
MILAN 17 HRS 15 MINS – 13,440 KM
LONDON 17 HRS 50 MINS – 13,820 KM
TORONTO 20 HRS – 15,532 KM

POPULATION

DARWIN REGION 139,902
KATHERINE REGION 20,869
ALICE SPRINGS 29,200
TENNANT CREEK 3,080

DOMESTIC FLIGHT TRAVEL

PERTH 3 HRS 30 MINS – 2,650 KM
ADELAIDE 3 HRS 30 MINS – 2,621 KM
HOBART 5 HRS 30 MINS – 3,742 KM
MELBOURNE 4 HRS – 3,132 KM
CANBERRA 4 HRS – 3,141 KM
SYDNEY 4 HRS – 3,154 KM
BRISBANE 4 HRS – 2,850 KM
CAIRNS 2 HRS 30 MINS – 1,686 KM

CLIMATE

TOP END
DRY SEASON (MAY-OCT) 21°C – 32°C WET SEASON (NOV-APR) 24°C – 32°C

THE CENTRE
SUMMER 20°C – 38°C
AUTUMN 12°C – 28°C
WINTER 4°C – 20°C
SPRING 16°C – 30°C