THE approval of five additional Australian export beef plants for boxed beef exports to Indonesia, including one establishment also receiving approval for sheep and goat meat, is delivering new opportunities for Australia’s red meat industry, the Federal Government says in a statement issued this afternoon.

The government says the approvals for the five plants – un-named, but located in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria – are a boost for Australia’s trade relationship with Indonesia, where more high-quality Australian halal red meat will now be available.

However the statement overlooks the fact that Australian beef is severely limited by Indonesian import permits this year – to the point where the additional access announced today is virtually meaningless, trade sources suggest. More on this topic on Monday.

Indonesia is a significant market for Australian halal red meat, the Federal Government statement says.

Beef and veal was Australia’s third largest agricultural export commodity to Indonesia in 2025, valued at $581 million, a figure which has grown 49pc since 2022.

The approval of these new export meat establishments across Australia followed extensive engagement by the Government, working closely with Australian industry and Indonesian authorities, the statement says.

Agriculture minister Julie Collins said the approval of the new establishments was “another big win for Australia’s red meat industry.”

“These additional establishment listings will mean more high-quality Australian halal meat for Indonesian consumers and more commercial benefits across the Australian meat supply chain including producers and processors,” she said.

“The approvals reflect Indonesia’s confidence in Australia’s halal meat production system, reinforcing Australia’s global reputation as a trusted global supplier of halal meat products.”

“These new approvals will further boost Australia’s export access to Indonesia, increasing value to this market and safe, high quality halal meat for Indonesian consumers,” it says.

The government claims this is the second positive outcome of Indonesian audits of Australian export meat establishments in two years, with a total of seven Australian export meat establishments approved since November 2024.

The Albanese Labor Government claims to have “worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for our farmers and producers to export our world-class products on the international stage.”

“Market access for our farmers and producers is the most diversified it has ever been, providing our farmers with the best platform for continued growth,” it says.

Source: Federal Government