THE red meat industry and its service providers are well represented among the finalists for the 2026 Australian Export Awards being announced in Canberra next month.

Eight successful export businesses from the red meat supply chain will line up for national recognition, after earlier winning their state awards.

Organised by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian Export Awards recognise outstanding, innovative and inspiring exporters and is one of Australia’s most prestigious and longest-running export awards programs.

The winner in each of the 13 national categories will be announced at the national awards ceremony on 18 November in Canberra, along with the Australian Exporter of the Year for 2026.

Among the finalists in this year’s Agribusiness category are:

Rum Jungle Meat Exports, NT. Rum Jungle Meat Exports (RJME) is a regionally based, export-accredited abattoir located about an hour south of Darwin. It is licensed to process beef, buffalo and camel for more than 30 countries. RJME adds value to the Australian livestock industry by offering a local, cost-effective processing option that adheres to Australian welfare standards, avoiding the need to transport animals to southern states. RJME makes a large contribution to Australia’s economy through strong export growth, regional employment, infrastructure investment, and support for the Australian livestock industry. Its top export markets include Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, the US and Vietnam.

Tasmanian Quality Meats, TAS. Tasmanian Quality Meats is a fully integrated meat processing and export business based in Cressy, Tasmania. It exports premium Tasmanian lamb, mutton and bobby veal products from an on-site production facility to a global market. Tasmanian Quality Meats gives buyers reliable, traceable access to premium island-provenance protein, backed by a suite of accreditations. This makes it easier for customers worldwide to source clean, safe, high-quality Tasmanian meat with confidence. Its top export markets include Saudi Arabia, China, and the US.

Gundagai Lamb, NSW. Gundagai Lamb is a premium Australian lamb brand. The company provides all Gundagai Lamb farmers with objective data about their flock. Every lamb is objectively graded, and the result, not a subjective call, sets the price. Each producer has a digital portal showing how their livestock performed against others, turning every consignment into feedback that lifts the quality and value of future supply. This allows farmers to nurture and breed a healthier, more resilient, better tasting lamb. This model enables producers to make more informed decisions, helping improve flock performance and reinforcing Australia’s reputation for high-quality red meat production. Its top export markets include the US, the UK, China, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.

Balco Australia, SA. Balco Australia is a leading exporter of high-quality Australian cereal hay and straw, specialising in oaten hay. Operating across South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, Balco manages the full supply chain to meet the rising needs of the global dairy, beef and equine industries. Balco Australia has long-term partnerships with more than 500 Australian growers, providing access to international markets while supporting jobs and economic activity across regional Australia. It also invests in feed quality, traceability and agricultural innovation, helping strengthen the global competitiveness of Australia’s forage industry. Its top export markets include China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam.

Craig Mostyn Group, WA. Craig Mostyn Group has been a trusted name in Australian agribusiness for more than 100 years, delivering high-quality food products to families across Australia and around the world. Today, Craig Mostyn Group is Western Australia’s leading pork, lamb and beef producer, with abalone and trading operations on the east coast. Operating across the supply chain, it proudly continues its origins in rendering, turning animal byproducts that would otherwise go to landfill into valuable materia AgriGate Australia, ACT, is a finalist in the Regional Exporter category

AgriGate Australia (ACT), is a finalist in the Regional Exporter category.

AgriGate Australia provides premium Australian beef, led by its award-winning Oishi Wagyu brand, to a global market. The company creates new export opportunities for local producers, returning value to rural and regional communities.

Consolidated Pastoral Co, NT, is a finalist in the Regional Exporter category.

Consolidated Pastoral Co produces high‑quality beef and livestock for a global marketplace. Its operations span 12 Australian stations covering over 6 million hectares with 2 feedlots in Indonesia.

King River Wagyu, Queensland, is a finalist in the Regional Exporter category. Click here to read Beef Central’s earlier story profiling their earlier Queensland Exporter of the Year win, qualifying the enterprise for the national awards.