美国牛肉价格不断走高，在北半球烧烤季前夕正改变消费者的购买行为。牛排品类零售需求升温，加上市场对进口红肉供应的持续依赖，为澳大利亚出口商奠定了利好机会。
牛肉仍是美国烧烤季的主流刚需食材
澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会（MLA）北美地区经理保罗·达席尔瓦，在协会《实地播客》节目中表示，美国消费者愈发感受到食品价格上涨带来的压力，尤以牛肉最为明显，而牛肉依旧是美国饮食与文化中不可或缺的核心部分。
保罗称：“民众已经明显察觉到物价在上涨。”他提到，随着生活成本攀升，碎牛肉已成为消费者重点关注的品类。
当下美国媒体对牛肉零售价格通胀的关注度持续升温，有报道称近年碎牛肉价格大幅飙升。保罗表示，价格压力正同时影响零售与餐饮渠道的消费选购习惯。
他说：“不少消费者开始减少高端外出就餐消费。”转而选择购买优质牛排在家烹制，也使得牛排类产品在零售市场销量表现格外亮眼。
尽管面临生活成本压力，受户外烧烤、车尾派对及家庭聚餐等消费习惯支撑，进入烧烤季后，美国牛肉需求依旧保持坚挺。
他表示：“市场需求依旧旺盛。”
“牛肉早已融入美国人的日常生活，成为生活方式里至关重要的一部分。”
羊肉进口保障措施调查
尽管需求前景向好，但美国绵羊产业推动对羊肉进口启动保障措施调查一事，仍存不确定性。保罗表示，虽然官方尚未发布任何公告，但澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会（MLA）及行业各方已为可能出台的正式贸易举措做好了准备。
他强调，进口羊肉对满足美国消费者需求至关重要，任何限制供应的措施，都会对依赖进口产品的零售商和餐饮服务商造成冲击。
他指出：“在当前市场环境下，任何抑制供应的举措，都将对整个羊肉品类造成损害。”
加拿大市场潜力
加拿大也成为澳大利亚出口商重要的增长机遇市场。保罗表示，加美之间贸易格局发生变化，促使加拿大采购商积极寻找红肉供应替代来源。
他称：“在这样的市场环境下，澳大利亚具备绝佳优势。”这里指澳大利亚能够供应稳定足量产品、品类齐全，且依托《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》享受零关税准入。
保罗透露，澳大利亚对加拿大牛肉出口已呈现强劲增势，加拿大年内牛肉进口量同比大幅攀升。
保罗表示，澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会正加大在加拿大的投入，通过增设人员配置、采购商培训及消费者推广项目，助力长期市场增长。
保罗强调，北美市场整体前景依然向好，强劲的需求基本面叠加出口商信心提升，持续推动整个区域的相关市场投入。
本文基于澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会《实地》播客近期一期节目整理编写。
消息来源：MLA
On the Ground Podcast – US grilling season drives beef demand
Rising beef prices in the United States (US) are reshaping consumer purchasing behaviour ahead of the northern hemisphere grilling season. Stronger retail demand for steak cuts and continued reliance on imported red meat supply are underpinning opportunities for Australian exporters.
Beef remains a staple for US grilling season
Speaking on Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) On the Ground Podcast, Paul Da Silva, MLA Regional Manager North America, said that US consumers were increasingly conscious of higher food costs – particularly for beef – which remains central to American diets and culture.
“There is a very definite awareness of rising prices,” Paul said, noting that ground beef had become a focal point for consumers as living costs increased.
The discussion follows growing US media attention on retail beef inflation, with ground beef prices reportedly climbing sharply in recent years. Paul said the pressure is influencing purchasing patterns across retail and foodservice channels.
“There is a lot of trading out of foodservice dining occasions at the higher end,” he said. Consumers were instead redirecting spending towards cooking premium steak cuts at home, contributing to a surprisingly high performance of steak cuts in the retail environment.
Despite cost of living pressures, beef demand has remained resilient heading into the US grilling season, supported by strong consumer attachment to outdoor cooking, tailgating and at-home entertaining.
“Demand is still strong,” he said.
“Beef is a central part of the American way of life.”
Lamb import safeguard investigation
Alongside the positive demand outlook, uncertainty remains around the US sheep industry’s push for a safeguard investigation into lamb imports. While no announcement has been made, Paul said MLA and industry participants had prepared for the possibility of formal trade action.
He emphasised that imported lamb remained critical to meeting US consumer demand and said any measures restricting supply would affect retailers and foodservice operators reliant on imported product.
“Anything that suppresses supply in that environment is going to be damaging to the category,” he said.
Potential in Canada
Canada has also emerged as a significant growth opportunity for Australian exporters. Paul said changing trade dynamics between Canada and the US had accelerated interest from Canadian buyers seeking alternative sources of red meat supply.
“In that environment, Australia is ideally positioned,” he said, referring to Australia’s ability to provide reliable volumes, a broad product range and tariff-free access under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Paul said Australian beef exports to Canada were already showing strong momentum, with year-to-date imports up significantly for beef.
“MLA is increasing investment in Canada through new staffing, buyer education and consumer awareness programs to support longer-term growth,” Paul said.
Paul highlighted that the North America outlook remains positive, with strong demand fundamentals and growing exporter confidence continuing to drive investment across the region.
This article was developed based on a recent episode of MLA’s On The Ground podcast.
Source：MLA
