Global protein markets are undergoing a period of adjustment as shifting trade flows, expanding export volumes, and political pressure reshape how meat moves around the world.
Australia has emerged as a major driver in global beef trade, with exports climbing as the country continues to rebuild its cattle herd following years of drought. Improved pasture conditions and herd expansion have allowed Australian exporters to increase shipments into key markets across Asia and the Middle East, filling supply gaps left by tighter production in other exporting nations. The rebound has strengthened Australia’s position in the global beef complex at a time when demand remains relatively steady but supplies are uneven.
Brazil is also exerting growing influence, particularly in poultry. As the world’s largest chicken exporter, Brazil has steadily expanded shipments, supported by competitive pricing, abundant feed supplies, and access to a wide range of international markets. Poultry exports from Brazil have increased their footprint in Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East, intensifying competition for other protein exporters and reinforcing poultry’s role as a lower-cost alternative to beef.
Together, the expansion of Australian beef and Brazilian poultry is reshaping global protein trade flows, altering sourcing strategies for importers and placing pressure on producers in regions with higher costs or more restrictive regulations.
In Europe, those pressures are playing out on the streets as farmers protest trade policies they say undermine domestic production. Producers across multiple countries have voiced concerns that trade agreements and import rules allow lower-cost meat to enter the European market without meeting the same environmental and animal welfare standards required of EU farmers. The demonstrations underscore a growing divide between trade liberalization goals and the economic realities facing domestic producers.
The tension highlights a broader challenge confronting global agriculture: balancing open trade with food security, environmental standards, and farm viability. As proteins move more freely across borders, producers are increasingly exposed to global competition, while governments face mounting pressure to protect domestic agriculture without disrupting supply chains.
Analysts say these dynamics are likely to persist into 2026. With U.S. cattle supplies tight, Australia and Brazil are expected to remain key suppliers to global markets, while political debate in Europe over trade and imports shows little sign of easing. The result is a protein market that remains fluid, competitive, and closely tied to both weather patterns and policy decisions worldwide.
