When Donald Trump enforced a 10 per cent tariff on Australian beef earlier this year, there were some concerns it would impact trade.

The opposite happened.

Australia has exported a record amount of beef this year and is on track to surpass 1.5 million tonnes for the first time.

The biggest customer has been the United States, importing about 412,000 tonnes (January to November) which is up 17 per cent year-on-year.

The United States also paid record money in 2025 to import our lean beef.

The US imported beef price for lean (90CL) beef hit a record high this year. (Supplied: MLA)

According to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), the US paid a peak of more than $13 a kilogram for imported Aussie lean beef this year, which was up 34 per cent on the previous year, and up 64 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

This record money flowed into the Australian cattle market, it would seem, with the national processor cow indicator reaching a record high of nearly $4 a kilogram.

What about the tariff?

Donald Trump's 10 per cent tariff on Australian beef was dumped in November.

So what did it achieve?

According to meat analyst Simon Quilty, not much.

"If tariffs were meant to persuade people from shipping [beef to the US], it did quite the opposite, for Australia at least," he told the Country Hour.

"Australian lean beef is a necessity [for the United States] because they simply don't produce enough of their own.

"Because of drought they've been liquidating their herd to a 70-year low, and with fewer cows comes less lean beef."

Mr Quilty said US consumers bore the cost of the tariffs this year.

"To me it was all passed through to the US consumer at the other end," he said.

"The humble hamburger is in huge demand and ground beef continues to be the number one item sold throughout America's retail sector.

"The tariffs have now been removed, but I think the demand will continue, just perhaps not at the same pace in 2026."

What about imports?

Earlier this year, Donald Trump incorrectly stated that "Australia bans American beef".

As explained by ABC Landline, Australia did not have a ban. 

Australia allowed imports of US beef as long as it was from cattle born, raised and slaughtered in the US.

The sticking point was the US's demand for expanded access, which would allow it to export beef from cattle sourced out of Canada and Mexico and processed in the US.

When Australia agreed to this request in July, there were some concerns it would open the gate to large consignments of imported American beef.

The opposite has happened.

According to trade data up to the end of October, Australia has imported just 150 kilograms of US beef and 18 tonnes of Canadian beef.

ABC Landline has sought more details from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, but is yet to receive a response.

Australian beef took centre stage at the SIAL food trade show in Shanghai this year. (Supplied: MLA/ABC Landline)

Then there's China

Trump's tariff war with China created ripple effects across the global beef trade — which benefited Australia.

Since March, about 300 abattoirs in the United States have been unable to export beef to China, which opened the door to Australian grain-fed beef exports.

"Australia's largest beef market has been the United States, but 2025 has not been a one-market story," MLA's Andrew Cox said.

"China beef imports have increased 44 per cent [year-on-year] and has been Australia's second largest beef market."

At a major trade show in Shanghai this year, MLA's Murray Davis said it was obvious Australian beef was having its moment.

"Australia is absolutely centre stage [here in China] and we are dominating the premium end of the beef market," he said.

"Our major competitor over the last few years has been the United States, but with the trade disputes between China and the US, the US is effectively out of the market."

Beef in 2026

Overall, it has been a good year for Australian cattle producers.

There has been drought in parts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, which meant some producers were forced to sell stock. 

But they received strong money thanks to good overseas demand and producers further north having a great season.

In fact, there was record money for processor cows, thanks mostly to the huge demand for lean beef in the United States.

Australia produced a record amount of beef, exported a record amount of beef and 2026 is shaping up well for those with green grass and stock to sell.

But markets can do funny things, so fingers crossed.

ABC TV's Landline will return in 2026. Catch up on previous episodes via ABC iview.