South Australian meat exports have reached record highs, surging $573 million over the past 12 months to a new peak of $1.64 billion, despite global instability brought on by new tariff barriers imposed by the United States.
The growth, which supports regional jobs and communities, has been experienced right across the board, with significant increases recorded in each of the state's top 15 meat export markets that range from 28 to 107 per cent.
The state's top five markets have seen a collective uptick of more than $400 million, with meat exports to the US (+ $273 million), South Korea (+ $60 million), Japan (+ $34 million), China (+ $17 million) and Malaysia (+ $22 million) totalling $1.17 billion in the past year.
This result demonstrates the success of the Malinauskas Government's diversification strategy, with 15 separate markets now each buying more than $20 million of South Australian meat.
The State Government, through the Department of State Development, supported 582 South Australian businesses to take part in outbound and inbound trade missions in the last financial year.
Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs has led several trade delegations to key markets in the past year – including to Japan, Korea, China, the UAE and Singapore – aimed at maintaining and growing access for South Australian exporters.
As the global middle class continues to expand the Malinauskas Government is working to ensure South Australia seizes on any new opportunities it presents.
The State Government's first of its kind five-year trade and investment strategy sets out a roadmap to capture this demand, with Southeast Asia defined as a priority market for food and agribusiness exports.
At the same time, established partners remain vital, with the US holding its position as the state's most valuable meat export market, worth more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to the South Australian economy.
Among species, beef exports have been the standout performer, more than doubling to reach $849.3 million, while lamb exports have climbed by nearly 20 per cent to $716.8 million.
Meat from pigs (+20.7 per cent), goats (+78.9 per cent), poultry (+18.2 per cent) and other species contributed more than $70 million to the South Australian economy in the past year.
More than 229,000 jobs in South Australia are linked to exports, with more than 15 per cent of the state's gross state product As put by trade.
As put by Joe Szakacs
At a time when global trade is unstable and uncertain, our government and industry are working together to deliver outstanding new records.
Growing meat and other agricultural export into new and emerging markets is a central pillar of our trade and investment strategy.
We're going to continue to work day in day out to achieve greater access to markets, so that every link in the supply chain receives the best possible price for their product or for their labour.
As put by Tori Dixon-Whittle, CEO, Food SA
South Australia's meat, headlined by our premium beef and lamb, is desired the world over, so it's not surprising to see demand surging.
We will continue to work with our meat industry and with the state and federal governments to ensure they have the best possible access to markets.
Broader market access maximises the value for South Australian business and supports the creation of more jobs.
