Australian Cattle Prices Rise as US Market Declines

Australian heavy steer cattle prices increased 4.2% in September, rising from 430Ac/kg lwt in August to 448Ac/kg lwt. This surge moved Australia's prices 2% above those of Argentina, which experienced a 2.6% decline to 438Ac/kg lwt. Brazil remained the lowest-cost global benchmark with a marginal 0.2% increase to 343Ac/kg lwt.

The United States recorded the sharpest monthly drop, with prices falling 3.9% to 681Ac/kg lwt. This decline followed a decision by Donald Trump to suspend a 300,000-tonne quota for US beef imports. While the US remains the most expensive market globally, the price gap between the US and Australia has narrowed to 34%.

Industry analysis suggests this narrowing gap may reduce the competitiveness of Australian beef in premium export markets, specifically Japan and South Korea. Previously, high US prices provided a strategic advantage for Australian exporters in these regions.