ANY way it is sliced and diced, labour access is shaping up as a key limiting factor in Australian red meat processing output, and hence potential slaughter cattle demand, during 2023.
Last year was plagued at times by labour shortages due to COVID sickness issues, lack of overseas assisted visa labour and the general underlying staff shortage. Despite the COVID fog clearing, this year is shaping up no better – and arguably worse – given the rising supply of slaughter cattle coming to market after herd recovery.
Could it be that Australian red meat processing at some point in 2023…
