Report Overview

Australia meat market is growing at a high rate because of the increasing consumer awareness towards the health benefits of various types of meat consumption along with expansion in poultry farms due to the high demand for chicken meat and pork in the local market.

Australia Meat Market- Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2027

The Australia meat market is set for moderate growth and estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period. The market is growing at a high rate because of the increasing consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of various types of meat consumption. In addition, expansion of poultry farms to meet the market demand for chicken meat and pork along with flourishing export activities in the country is forecast to drive the Australia meat market during the forecast period.

Australia Meat Market- Overview

‘Meat’, in general, refers to animal flesh that is meant for human consumption as food. Meat is an important source of nutrients that offer proteins, zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamin A & B-complex vitamins. There are many types of meat available in Australia, such as red meat, which includes beef, goat, lamb, poultry meat which includes chicken and turkey, seafood meat which includes fish, crab, lobster, etc. Among these types, chicken and lamb are the most popular meat in Australia.

Australia Meat Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

High Number of Health-Conscious Consumers

The increasing number of health-conscious consumers is one of the major driving factors boosting the demand for meat in Australia. Meat and poultry products are considered great sources of proteins. They provide a lot of necessary nutrients a human body needs, such as iodine, zinc, vitamins like B12, and essential fatty acids. The high and increasing younger population needs heavy sources of proteins for fulfilling their body-building needs, due to which, the demand for meat is gaining significant traction in Australia.

Expanding Meat Production and Packaging Industry

Australian meat production industry is among the leading processing meat industries in the world. The expanding cultivation and processing of meat like beef, lamb, and goat meat, is propelling the growth of the Australia meat market. The Aussie meat processing plants deploy advanced technologies to ensure the high quality of meat products that meet global food standards. There are around 300 abattoirs in Australia and their number is increasing at a high rate. Moreover, the expanding local production of meat is emerging as one of the major driving factors for the growth of the Australia meat market.

Restraints

Increasing Adoption of Vegan Lifestyle

As consumers gain a greater awareness of the side effects of meat consumption, especially among young people, they are more inclined to adapt a vegan lifestyle. This is emerging as the major cause of concern for the meat industry in Australia. The vegan meat companies are entering the market seeking to exploit this opportunity and launching a wide range of plant-based meat made from various ingredients, such as soybeans, lentils, peas, etc. This is attracting not only vegan consumers but also regular meat-eaters as well.

Impact of COVID-19 on Australia Meat Market

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the growth of the Australia meat market. Various factors, such as disruptions in supply chains, food safety issues due to media coverage, temporary shutdown of restaurants, and other food joints have directly affected the demand for meat in Australia. The imports of meat were also barred due to safety issues and the spread of the virus. In addition, consumers were very concerned about meat consumption due to an increased awareness of zoonotic diseases, which halted the growth of the Australian meat market.

Australia Meat Market - By Type

Based on types, the Australia meat market is segmented into red meat, poultry, and seafood. The poultry segment is further classified into chicken and turkey. A majority of Australians prefer chicken meat over red meat. Its popularity is also anticipated to increase in the forecast period, according to the reports by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). However, the report also revealed that the consumption of beef is estimated to surge in Australia during the forecast period.

Australia Meat Market - By Product Type

Based on product types, the Australia meat market is segmented into fresh meat, chilled meat, and frozen meat. The fresh meat segment holds the largest market share because of the presence of numerous butcher shops and slaughterhouses in Australia that supply fresh meat to retail shops and supermarkets/hypermarkets. However, the frozen meat segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high shelf life of this product type and retained quality and nutrients of the meat play a crucial role in propelling the market growth.

Australia Meat Market - By Distribution Channel

Based on the distribution channels, the Australia meat market is segmented into on-trade and off-trade. The off-trade segment is further classified into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, online stores, and others. The supermarkets/hypermarkets segment accounts for the largest market share because of the easy availability of a wide range of products and a high number of such stores in the region. However, the online store segment is projected to witness a substantial share in the market because of the increasing number of online websites that sell meat in Australia.

Competitive Landscape

The leading players in the Australia meat market are Australian Meat Company, Australian Meat Group, Samex Australian Meat Group, Meat and Livestock Australia, JBS Food Australia, Industry Park Pty Ltd, Teys Australia Pty Ltd., Thomas Foods International Consolidated Pty Limited, Tip Top Meats, Beef Producers Australia, Australian Agricultural Company, and other prominent players.

The market is highly fragmented, with many players offering different types of fresh and frozen meat. The providers are focusing on improving their distribution channels by partnering with retail stores and supermarkets. Furthermore, the adoption of competitive strategies, such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, etc., is also prominent in this market.

Recent Development

• In August 2021, JBS, a leading Brazil-based meat-processing company, announced to have acquired 100% of the Huon Aquaculture, Australia’s second-largest salmon producer.

Scope of the Report

By Type

• Red Meat

1. Beef
2. Goat
3. Lamb
4. Pork

• Poultry

1. Chicken
2. Turkey

• Seafood

1. Fish
2. Crab
3. Lobster
4. Others

By Product Type

• Fresh
• Chilled
• Frozen

By Distribution Channel

• On-Trade
• Off-Trade

1. Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
2. Specialty Stores
3. Online Stores
4. Others