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Australian pork production is expected to increase by 1% to 480,000 MT (CWE) in 2026, up from the downwardly revised 2025 estimate of 475,000 MT (CWE). This modest growth is supported by strengthening pork prices and relatively low feed grain costs, which represent a substantial portion of production expenses.
Given that the majority of Australian pork is consumed domestically, rising pork prices limit its competitiveness relative to other meats. As a result, forecast growth in pork production primarily accommodates a growing domestic population. Australian pork consumption is forecast to increase slightly in 2026 to 665,000 MT (CWE), up 1.2% from an estimated 657,000 MT (CWE) in 2025. Per capita pork consumption is expected to remain marginally declining, continuing the recent trend.
The consumer price index for meats in Australia shows that pork prices have increased at a relatively steady and strong rate over the last five years. Pork competes with chicken and beef for consumer preference. Retail chicken prices have also risen over the last five years, but per capita chicken consumption continues its long-term upward trend, largely because chicken is less than half the price of pork. Beef prices are nearly double those of pork, yet overall beef consumption remains higher than pork.
Australian pork imports are expected to increase slightly to 235,000 MT (CWE) in 2026, up 2% from the revised 2025 estimate of 230,000 MT (CWE). This modest growth, alongside the small rise in domestic pork production, is primarily driven by expected growth in domestic consumption. In recent years, the top five pork suppliers to Australia have accounted for over 95% of total imports. The United States supplies half or more of Australia’s pork imports, while Denmark and the Netherlands are the other major suppliers.
Australian pork exports are anticipated to rise slightly to 50,000 MT (CWE) in 2026, up from an estimated 48,000 MT (CWE) in 2025. This aligns with the steady but modest growth in exports observed over the past five years. Australian pork exports account for only around 10% of total pork production, so fluctuations in export volumes have minimal impact on domestic supply and consumption. Over the past five years, the top five export destinations have accounted for nearly 85% of total exports, largely driven by growing demand from Singapore.
September 17, 2025/ USDA/ United States.
https://apps.fas.usda.gov
