Pork market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Australian pork market volume expanded from 545.9 thousand tonnes to 583.4 thousand tonnes, despite annual fluctuations. The African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in China disrupted global pork supply, increasing demand for imported pork and influencing trade flows. This period also saw a shift in domestic consumer preferences, with pork consumption recording the highest growth rate by value among edible meats in 2022, directly supporting market expansion.

Regulatory changes further shaped production and trade. The implementation of the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2021 amendments streamlined export inspections, reducing costs for processors. Simultaneously, biosecurity regulations banned prohibited pig feeds to prevent disease spread, affecting farming practices. These measures, alongside global ASF impacts, contributed to volatile import and export patterns, with import volumes peaking in 2022 before contracting in 2023 as export shipments increased.

The market continued to adjust in subsequent years, with easing production costs due to lower feed grain prices and upward-trending pork prices by 2024, reflecting the lingering effects of global supply shocks. The introduction of the revised Australian Meat Standard (AS 4696:2023) modernized processing requirements, ensuring compliance for both domestic and export markets.

Production pork in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Australia ranked as the 27th largest pork producer during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Australia's pork production grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 443.2 K t of pork, representing a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 397.9 K t, which also saw the steepest decline of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Australia's pork production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 441 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 3.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 30.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports pork from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Australia's pork exports expanded for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 32.8 K t, marking a 10.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports declined by 5.6%, with an average annual decrease of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27.0 K t, which also experienced the largest drop of 22.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore (38.1% of exports in volume), Papua New Guinea (14.3%), and New Zealand (13.5%) were the leading destinations for Australia's pork exports, collectively accounting for 65.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Australia's pork export value grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 106.8 M $ US, reflecting an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 75.9 M $ US, which saw the sharpest decline of 16.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 29.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Singapore (48.4% of exports in value), Papua New Guinea (13.8%), and Hong Kong (10.3%) formed the core markets for Australia's pork exports, together representing 72.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports pork to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Australia imported 152.6 K t of pork, a 4.1% increase year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 146.5 K t, which saw the largest drop of 26.3%, while the highest volume was in 2019 at 198.7 K t, which experienced the biggest increase of 26.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (47.2% of imports in volume), Denmark (25.4%), and the Netherlands (15.6%) were the main sources of pork imports to Australia, collectively accounting for 88.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Australia imported pork valued at 592.8 M $ US, showing a 10.8% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 19.7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 592.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 28.4%, while the steepest decline occurred in 2020 at 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, the United States (42.7% of imports in value), Denmark (28.2%), and the Netherlands (17.3%) remained the top suppliers of pork to Australia, jointly accounting for 88.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021