While domestic cattle prices have come "off the boil", they are expected to still "simmer nicely" during 2018, with producers forecast to enjoy a profitable year ahead, according to a new industry report.
Cattle slaughter numbers are expected to rise marginally and overall Australian beef production to increase by three per cent for the year.
Report author, Rabobank senior animal proteins analyst Angus Gidley-Baird said while the cattle price declines would more than offset the small rise in production – meaning producers’ incomes would generally be lower in 2018 – the outlook was still for an overall profitable 2018 for Australia’s beef producers.
Four watch factors could however alter the "shape of the year", and impact upon the fortunes of Australia’s beef sector, both for better and for worse, the report cautioned. These were: the possibility of a big, early Queensland wet season, fierce competition in Asian export markets, rapid growth in Chinese demand for live exports and increased US cow slaughter.
Mr Gidley-Baird said Australian beef production was forecast to rise slightly as the herd rebuild continued.
"After falling by 1.7 per cent to 7.16 million head in 2017, we expect cattle slaughter to rise slightly in 2018, with herd rebuilding over the previous two years in southern states now expected to start generating increased turn off," he said.
The bank expects average slaughter weights – which have increased over the past three years as seasonal conditions have improved and the number of cattle on feed has increased – to remain high.
"We expect the number of cattle on feed to remain high and, with lower cow kill and heavier grass-fed cattle weights due to the better seasons, this should result in an overall increase in production of three per cent," Mr Gidley-Baird said.
While Australia’s key beef export markets are expected to remain strong, competition was also increasing and would "limit price upsides", the report said.
Mr Gidley-Baird said with the forecast increase in Australian beef production, along with static domestic consumption, exports were set to rise slightly in 2018.
"Japan, the US, South Korea and China will remain key markets. However, we will see increased competition from other exporting nations in all these markets," he said.
A softening Australian dollar, particularly in the second half of the year – Rabobank’s 12- month forecast is 0.75 US cents – should at least assist Australia’s competitive position, Mr Gidley-Baird said.
High cattle prices seen in 2017 had been driven by strong producer demand in a limited supply market, with producers looking to rebuild herd numbers or purchase cattle to consume available feed, the report said. This had resulted in cattle price movements closely mirroring any changes in seasonal conditions.
However, with stock numbers in southern states now nearing normal levels and the Queensland season on hold until the next wet season commences in October, producer demand is expected to ease in the market, enabling prices to fall back towards the five-year average and be less exposed to dramatic variation around rainfall events, Mr Gidley-Baird said.
The Rabobank report forecasts 2018 domestic cattle prices to come in at 15 per cent below prior-year levels. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) is expected to average AUc 513/kg cwt for the year – just above the five-year average.
The report said two variables which could have a negative impact on the year ahead were fierce competition in Australia’s Asian markets, as well as the prospect of an increased US cow slaughter.
"Australia’s two key long-standing Asian export markets, Japan and South Korea, are also the key markets for US exports. And with increasing US production, Australia is already facing strong competition in these markets," Mr Gidley-Baird said. "The US has been undertaking promotional activities to encourage increased sales in both markets, and – while Australia has an advantage with the Japanese FTA – the US is two years ahead in tariff reductions with South Korea. If the US consumer’s appetite for beef wanes, greater volumes will be driven into these key export destinations, most likely at discounted prices."
US beef production growth for the year had already been revised up from three per cent to five per cent growth (700,000 tonnes), the report said. A larger placement of cattle on feed and ongoing low feedgrain prices in the US has the potential to push carcass weights and production up further.
"Further, and more likely to have a bigger impact on Australia, are the dry conditions and lower cattle prices which could lead to a higher US cow slaughter in Q3 and lower demand for Australian lean trimmings by the US," Mr Gidley-Baird said.
However, on the positive side, the report said, the possibility of a "big, early Queensland wet season" and the rapid growth in Chinese demand for live exports could have a favourable impact on the year ahead.
"With a poor 2017/18 wet season, Queensland cattle producers (particularly those in central and western areas) have still not had enough of a season to confidently begin restocking. However, if a good, early wet season eventuates in 2018/19, producers looking to restock will drive cattle prices up," Mr Gidley-Baird said.
In the case of Chinese live export, Australia had sent the first load of live cattle by ship from northern Australia to China in January, he said. "If logistics, markets and supply chains are developed to allow such a trade to operate in large numbers on a regular basis, it will add competition for cattle in what is currently a supply-limited Queensland market – and it would drive live export and other cattle prices up."
<ends>
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the global Rabobank Group, the world’s leading banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 40 countries, servicing the needs of approximately 8.6 million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 94 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
---
