July market update

Written by Jack Lucas, Customer Support

🐂 Livestock market trends

• Cattle: Listings rose across both paddock and online sales. Southern rainfall helped stabilise prices, especially for slaughter-weight cattle, while restocker demand softened due to limited winter feed availability.
• Sheep & lamb: AuctionsPlus have reported strong listings, particularly from dry southern regions. Well-finished stock attracted robust processor interest, though overall clearance rates declined slightly.

🌍 Export & trade developments

• Apples to China: Mainland Australian apple growers have gained direct access to Chinese markets, expanding opportunities for premium varieties like Pink Lady and Fuji previously restricted to Tasmanian producers due to bio-security risks associated with fruit flies.
• Canola nearing market return: Australia is close to resuming canola exports to China after years of suspension. This represents a major opportunity for grain growers, especially amid tight global supply chains. For this to come back online a number of biological tests will need to be passed. 
• Beef export boom: Beef exports have surged 15% year-on-year, with grain-fed exports to China alone up 41%. Rising global demand driven in part by improved China relations and U.S. trade tensions, could lift domestic prices as exporters prioritise international markets.
• Brazilian tariffs – Brazilian Meat exports to the US are about to rapidly slow down as a 50% tariff will be placed against their products. Could this open the door for Australia to pursue better trading deals or are we facing a similar future?

🌦️ Climate & Regional Conditions

• Southern drought deepens: Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and parts of NSW are in the grip of a “fodder drought.” Scarce feed is forcing early livestock sales, culling, and significant financial strain, yet in urban centers we are hearing very little about this crisis and the impact it is having on our farmers. 
• Northern flooding events: Parts of Queensland experienced serious flooding, triggering emergency support measures and reinforcing the volatility of Australia’s seasonal extremes. 
• Current climate- There has been sporadic amounts of rain seen throughout NSW Riverina, SA and Victoria. This has been a welcome change, but the current ground temperatures are too cold thanks to a number of cold fronts. It is hoped as we progress toward spring we get more rain with the increased ground temperatures to alleviate the effects of the fodder crisis.

⚖️ Policy & Industry Spotlight

• Overfishing scrutiny in NT: Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley faces criticism for outdated fish stock data and delays in phasing out harmful gill nets. While reforms are promised, action remains slow, with full changes not expected until late 2026.
• Bioenergy from sugarcane: Queensland is exploring the sugarcane industry’s potential in bioenergy. This could diversify income and support sustainability targets, with strong industry backing.
• NT orchard legal challenge: The Central Land Council is escalating its appeal against the $250M Singleton Farm orchard near Tennant Creek. While the project progresses, it continues to spark debate around Indigenous land rights and water use.

👩‍🌾 Workforce & Industry Outlook

Australia’s ageing agricultural workforce is drawing renewed concern, particularly in drought-affected regions. Industry leaders are calling for targeted programs to engage younger Australians in farming, ensuring future sector resilience.

🔎 In Summary

The mid-winter season brings no shortage of complexity from drought and flooding to export wins and domestic pressures. Yet with global demand holding strong and renewed investment in diversification, Australia’s ag sector is proving both adaptable and forward-facing.