Australia Meat and Poultry Market

Australia Meat and Poultry Market Overview:

The Australia meat and poultry market size reached 3.35 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, the market is expected to reach 4.85 Million Tons by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.80% during 2025-2033. The market is stimulated by an increasing consumer demand for protein diets, heightened health awareness, the rising demand for convenience foods, advances in agricultural technology, export demand, and intensified emphasis on food safety and sustainability.

Key Trends of Australia Meat and Poultry Market:

Rise in Poultry Consumption

Growth in the consumption of poultry in Australia can be attributed to the health-conscious preference for leaner proteins amongst a broad section of consumers. This is being driven by the perception that poultry, especially chicken, has less fat as compared to red meats, making it a healthy alternative. As per the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, poultry is the most consumed meat, at over 40 kg per person in Australia. In addition, the price affordability and flexibility of poultry products make it popular and a household staple in Australia. The government's promotional activities, in consonance with balanced diets featuring poultry as lean meat, have bolstered consumption levels. Also, growing consumer interest in free-range and organic sources of poultry makes such options align with people who seek ethically produced meat. This trend is expected to continue as Australians seek healthier and more affordable protein options, reinforcing poultry's dominance in the meat sector.

Export Growth in the Meat Industry

The Australia meat and poultry market demand is dominated by its export industry, with beef and lamb being the export leaders. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia ranked as the fourth largest beef exporter in 2022, and projections also indicate Australia may become the second largest beef exporter in 2024. The major markets for exports are China, Japan, and the United States of America, with high demand for quality Australian meat. The country’s reputation for producing premium, grass-fed beef, and lamb has solidified its position in the global market. In addition, free trade agreements with major nations further expanded export avenues, allowing Australian meat producers to increase their global market penetration. The assistance from the government via export grants and marketing campaigns-maintained Australia's competitiveness in international meat trade. Furthermore, the continued expansion in exports strengthens the Australian economy and propels innovation and sustainability in the industry to reach international standards and consumer demands.

Growth Factors of Australia Meat and Poultry Market:

Expansion of Cold Chain and Processing Infrastructure

Australia’s meat and poultry industry is witnessing significant advancements through investments in cold chain and processing infrastructure. Modern refrigeration, freezing, and climate-controlled logistics systems are helping maintain the freshness and quality of meat products throughout the supply chain. Moreover, modern slaughterhouses and meat processing plants, with their automated equipment and high sanitary standards and control, are being built, which increases the volume of production and the safety of food products. These advances are essential to satisfying ever-increasing domestic demand and achieving effective redistribution to both the rural and urban locations. The enhanced shelf life by improvement of storage and package techniques limits the waste and enables regular availability in the retail and food service outlets. Overall, this infrastructure upgrade plays a pivotal role in strengthening supply chain resilience and fueling market growth.

Government Incentives and Regulatory Support

The Australian government plays an instrumental role in the growth of the meat and poultry sector by offering various financial and regulatory incentives. According to the Australia meat and poultry market analysis, these include targeted grants, agricultural subsidies, and funding for research and development in livestock health, sustainability, and meat processing technologies. Additionally, strict regulatory frameworks focusing on food safety, traceability, and environmental standards have helped the industry maintain global credibility and export readiness. Policies supporting ethical farming practices, animal welfare, and reduced antibiotic use also align with consumer demand for clean-label meat products. Government-backed initiatives, such as industry modernization programs and trade facilitation measures, further promote innovation and competitiveness. This comprehensive support system not only strengthens domestic market performance but also helps producers scale operations while maintaining compliance with global standards.

Growth in Health-Conscious and Protein-Rich Diet Preferences

Health and nutrition trends are reshaping consumer choices in the market. As more individuals adopt active lifestyles and focus on balanced diets, the demand for high-protein, low-fat meat options continue to grow. Consumers are increasingly choosing lean meats such as grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and hormone-free cuts as part of their daily meals, which is further driving the Australia meat and poultry market growth. This shift is driven by greater awareness of meat’s role in muscle building, weight management, and overall wellness. Additionally, clean eating movements and dietary plans like paleo and keto have further boosted interest in natural, minimally processed meat products. The market is responding with a wide variety of health-oriented offerings, including portion-controlled packs and labeled nutritional content, helping consumers make informed dietary decisions and reinforcing meat’s role in a healthy lifestyle.

Consumption of Australia Meat and Poultry Market:

Rising Demand for Value-Added and Ready-to-Cook Products

Australia’s increasingly fast-paced lifestyle is transforming consumer preferences toward convenience-oriented food options, particularly in the meat and poultry segment. Pre-marinated, seasoned, and portion-controlled products are gaining popularity as they significantly reduce meal preparation time while maintaining flavor and quality. Urban consumers, especially working professionals and young families, are driving this trend, seeking easy-to-cook or ready-to-heat meat products that align with their busy routines. Producers and retailers are responding by diversifying offerings to include meal kits, marinated cuts, and vacuum-sealed packs designed for quick preparation. This convenience-focused evolution is not only reshaping in-home consumption habits but also creating opportunities for brands to innovate with new flavors, packaging solutions, and nutrition-focused variants that cater to modern dietary expectations.

Growing Preference for Ethical and Sustainable Meat

Consumers in Australia are becoming more conscious of how meat is produced, placing greater emphasis on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and animal welfare—factors that are significantly influencing purchasing decisions and contributing to the growing Australia meat and poultry market share. This shift has led to a rising preference for meat that is free-range, grass-fed, hormone-free, and certified organic. Shoppers are also seeking products that come from farms committed to humane livestock treatment and minimal environmental impact. This ethical awareness is influencing purchase behavior, prompting producers to adopt transparent practices and obtain certifications that align with evolving consumer values. Labels featuring sustainability credentials, traceability details, and eco-conscious commitments are gaining importance at the point of sale. As environmental and ethical considerations continue to shape buying decisions, producers embracing these principles are better positioned to earn consumer trust and build long-term loyalty.

Influence of Foodservice and Meal Delivery Sectors

The expansion of Australia’s foodservice sector, including restaurants, cafés, fast-casual chains, and online meal delivery platforms, has played a key role in increasing national meat and poultry consumption. With dining out and food delivery becoming integral to modern lifestyles, there is a rising demand for high-quality meat used in burgers, grilled dishes, roasts, and gourmet meals. Quick-service and premium outlets alike are featuring diverse meat options on their menus to cater to varied tastes and dietary preferences. This trend also reflects growing consumer expectations for consistency, flavor, and responsible sourcing in prepared meals. Simultaneously, online food delivery services are expanding access to freshly prepared meat dishes, encouraging higher consumption outside the traditional retail setting. The foodservice channel continues to be a major driver of variety, volume, and innovation within the meat market.

Australia Meat and Poultry Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, animal type, freshness, distribution channel, and packaging.

Type Insights:

• Meat
• Poultry

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes meat and poultry.

Animal Type Insights:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Pork
• Duck
• Lamb
• Turkey

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the animal type have also been provided in the report. This includes chicken, beef, pork, duck, lamb, and turkey.

Freshness Insights:

• Fresh
• Frozen
• Processed

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the freshness. This includes fresh, frozen, and processed.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online Retailers
• Food Service

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, online retailers, and food service.

Packaging Insights:

• Tray
• Vacuum-Packed
• Modified Atmosphere Packaging
• Bulk

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the packaging. This includes tray, vacuum-packed, modified atmosphere packaging, and bulk.

Regional Insights:

• Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales
• Victoria & Tasmania
• Queensland
• Northern Territory & Southern Australia
• Western Australia

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory & Southern Australia, and Western Australia.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Australia Meat and Poultry Market News:

• In April 2025, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) approved its first cultivated meat product, quail meat, after a thorough scientific evaluation and public consultation. This marks a significant milestone, moving the product closer to commercial availability. The next step allows the country’s Food Ministers a 60-day window to review FSANZ’s decision.
• In July 2025, Ovotrack, a worldwide pioneer in process automation and traceability solutions for the egg industry, entered a Letter of Intent with LocalTeam Australia (LTA), an ICT service provider based in Queensland known for its specialization in the poultry industry.
• In June 2025, Cargill Inc. announced its intention to acquire the entire share capital of Teys Investments Pty Ltd, a prominent Australian beef processing company.
• In February 2023, AgriFutures Australia announced the launch of a new 5-year research, development, and extension plan for Australia's AU$6.6 Billion chicken meat industry. Chicken meat, which accounts for over 46% of Australia's total meat consumption, contributes nearly AU$3 Billion (over €2 Billion) to the economy and supports over 58,000 jobs.

Australia Meat and Poultry Market Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Australia meat and poultry market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Australia meat and poultry market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Australia meat and poultry industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.