U.S. beef imports are allowed in Australia for the first time in two decades

American ranchers are celebrating a major win as the Australian market opens to U.S. beef.

The deal was announced last night and will open the market for the first time in two decades, easing long-standing restrictions that have kept U.S. beef out of Australia.

Over the last 20 years, NCBA says Australia has sent around $29 billion worth of its beef to the U.S., while U.S. producers lacked access. Australia says its decision to reverse course comes after a thorough review of health and safety standards. Australia will now accept beef imports from animals born in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as long as they were legally imported.

NCBA and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins credited President Trump for securing the deal.

Rollins says in part, ‘Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines. This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way.”

She told Fox Business this morning that the deal is something ranchers were told for 20 years would never happen.

Related Stories
Rabobank’s outlook signals a tightening margin environment, emphasizing the need for cost control, trade stability, and clearer policy signals heading into 2026.
RFD-TV tax expert Roger McEowen discusses the renewed tax provision and how cattle producers can take advantage of it to recover investments in heifer retention and herd expansion more quickly.
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.
Input costs are top of mind for farmers, as they contribute to higher prices and smaller profits.
Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
Stay alert for trade announcements—especially border reopening timelines, tariff threats, and developments in Brazil’s export flows.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard joins Market Day Report for his insight on the USDA’s plan to strengthen the U.S. beef industry.