Australia: If food prices increase governments don't last, beef's shield from Trump

The good fortune for Australian beef exports flowing from tightening United States cattle supply might possibly be masking risks around declining consumer willingness to spend on beef, an international red meat market expert has warned. Meat & Livestock Australia's general manager of international markets Andrew Cox told a large beef industry gathering in Tamworth last week that while the US supply situation was the key current driver of the increased global demand for Australian beef, the story was "not all rosy". "Consumer sentiment is not necessarily strong. People are still tightening their belts," he said. "Many are acting like they are in recession. Restaurants are struggling but also in retail people are trading down their beef purchases and that's a trend I see all around the world." Mr Cox, who manages a team of around 50 in 17 locations throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the US to promote Australian beef, lamb and goat meat and improve market access, tempered ...