The US has referred lamb imports to its International Trade Commission for a global safeguard investigation, placing Australia’s largest lamb export market under review. Processors, exporters and producers say there is no immediate impact on their ability to supply.
Australia’s red meat processors and exporters are preparing to defend the country’s lamb trade with the United States after the Office of the US Trade Representative referred lamb imports to the US International Trade Commission (USITC) for a global safeguard investigation.
The investigation is reviewing lamb imports from all countries, not just Australia. It is the first step in a statutory process and doesn’t impose tariffs or other trade measures. Industry bodies stressed there is no immediate change to Australian exporters’ access to the US market.
The stakes for Australian suppliers are significant with the US its single largest lamb export market, taking roughly a quarter of Australian lamb exports. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Australian lamb export value passed $4 billion for the first time over a 12-month period to the end of May 2025, up 14 per cent year on year, on a volume of 363,109 tonnes.
The probe follows a petition lodged by the American Sheep Industry Association in October 2025, that argued that price differences averaging 10.8 per cent between imported and domestic lamb were displacing US production and eroding producer profitability.
Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) CEO, Tim Ryan, said AMIC would work with industry to keep Australia contributing to the gap between US domestic lamb demand and production.
“Australian lamb exporters have built a long-standing relationship with US customers and consumers, which has underpinned the maintenance and growth of lamb consumption in the US to the mutual benefit of US producers and Australian exporters,” Ryan said.
“AMIC is already working with our partners across the supply chain and with the Australian Government to mount the necessary legal defence of Australian lamb imports. It’s disappointing to see this type of investigation, but we are confident the Australian industry can deliver a robust, fact-based case demonstrating the mutual benefit of Australia’s trade.”
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) CEO, Bonnie Skinner, said the supply chain would respond collaboratively.
“Industry is well positioned to demonstrate the value of Australia’s long-standing trading relationship with the United States,” Skinner said.
“Australian supply complements domestic production and helps meet year-round consumer demand for lamb. In fact, Australian and American producers have a long history of collaboration through global industry forums to grow demand for lamb.”
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) regional manager North America, Paul da Silva, said the two industries shared common goals in promoting lamb consumption in the US.
“MLA has invested in programs to help grow lamb consumption in the US for decades, working with American-owned businesses to increase product awareness and trial,” da Silva said.
“The growth of the lamb category benefits both Australian and American lamb producers. We will continue to engage constructively with the process.”
National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) president, Hamish McIntyre, said the NFF supported SPA, AMIC and MLA in leading the industry’s engagement, and reiterated that there was no immediate impact on producers’ ability to supply the US.
“The NFF has long championed free, fair and rules-based trade,” McIntyre said. “Farmers’ interests, and Australia’s broader national interests, are best served by an open, predictable and evidence-based global trading system.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said the government was disappointed by the US decision to initiate the investigation and would continue to advocate for Australian producers.
AMIC, MLA and SPA said they would work with members, government and industry stakeholders to represent Australia’s interests in the Section 201 investigation, coordinate the industry response, and keep red meat processors, exporters and producers informed throughout.
