Business

Why Aussie consumers could soon be paying DOUBLE for beef

Published

8 months ago

April 2, 2025

Australian consumers could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak as a result of Donald Trump 's tariffs on agriculture exports, farmers say (pictured is a Coles supermarket)

Small-scale farmers warning of $56/kg rump steaks
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Australian consumers could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak at the supermarket as a result of Donald Trump‘s tariffs on agriculture exports, farmers say.

A kilogram of rump steak at Woolworths is now selling for $28.

But the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, representing 350 small-scale farmers, fears rump steak will end of costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket.

Spokeswoman Tammi Jonas, an organic beef cattle producer from Daylesford in Victoria, said the American tariffs on agricultural imports would see more countries buy Australian beef to avoid trading with the US.

‘We already know there’s high demand for Australian beef around the world and I think that’s just going to get higher,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘In a global supply crunch like this, we could see rump steak climb past $50 per kilogram.

‘That’s not a family dinner – that’s a premium luxury.’

Dr Jonas said higher export prices would see less Australian meat sold to domestic consumers.

Australian consumers could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak as a result of Donald Trump ‘s tariffs on agriculture exports, farmers say (pictured is a Coles supermarket)

‘I would say there’s a strong likelihood of that, yes,’ she said.

‘And even if we still have enough beef sold within Australia, the prices are certain to go up.

‘Whenever you’re in those global markets, you roll with the volatility and if they can get a really high price overseas, they’re not going to charge less for domestic sales.’

But Angus Gidley-Baird, a senior analyst in animal protein with RaboResearch, said more expensive steak at the supermarket was unlikely, given the strong supply of Australian beef with the recent rainfall.

‘We produced record volumes of beef last year, I don’t see why there would be a shortage in the domestic market that would cause prices to rise,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘The exports are effectively our markets that we sell the additional production into.’

Meat and Livestock Australia data showed the US was Australia’s biggest market for beef exports in 2024, putting it well ahead of Japan, South Korea and China.

Of the beef sent to the United States, 96 per cent of it was the leaner, grass fed variety that was either chilled or frozen.

The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance fears rump steak will end of costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket. Spokeswoman Tammi Jonas (left) said the American tariffs on agricultural imports would see more countries buy Australian beef to avoid trading with the US

The Americans have been in the grip of a drought, and most of their beef is fattier, grain-fed.

South American beef exporters Argentina and Brazil are also dealing with a lack of rainfall, which means demand for Australian beef would continue to be strong.

Mr Gidley-Baird said the Americans, who produced fattier, grain-fed beef, would still need the leaner, Australian grass-fed beef to make hamburger patties, regardless of import tariffs.

‘The US still continues to need imported product because they’re not producing as much themselves,’ he said.

‘They’ll still need Australian beef – the drought, it’s getting better in the US but they’ve liquidated their herd and production volumes are down.

‘What Australia sends to the US complements their production system over there in that it balances out the fatter product they’re producing for hamburger production.

‘They need the product and we’re one of the biggest suppliers of it – me being rational would still say that they would still buy it.’

At the margins, strong American demand for grass-fed beef had pushed up prices for Australian lean mince, now selling for $15.50 a kilo at Woolworths.

The Trump Administration’s tariffs of up to 25 per cent on agricultural imports are coming into affect on Thursday, along with tariffs on pharmaceutical products (President Donald Trump is pictured in the White House)

‘The US market has been very strong – it’s demanding a fair amount of product which is putting a bit of pressure on mince prices, lean product prices,’ Mr Gidley-Baird said.

The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance sees mince prices more than doubling to $36 a kilo.

But Dr Jonas predicted possible tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Australian beef would see American demand plunge, despite the fact they are in drought with an undersupply of grass-fed beef.

‘I think with a 25 per cent tariff they won’t be able to afford it – Americans are in as big a cost-of-living crisis as Australians are and they can’t handle a 25 per cent tariff on top of the higher meat price of imported Australian beef,’ she said.

The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance didn’t do specific economic modelling on Australian beef prices, as a result of the Trump tariffs on agriculture coming into effect on Thursday.

But it argued China’s African swine flu in 2019 led to a doubling of pork prices, as supply fell by 40 per cent.

The alliance campaigns against agribusiness giants like JBS Foods Australia, which owns feedlots and abattoirs.

‘The local farmers like us are losing access to the facilities to slaughter,’ Dr Jonas said.

‘While that sounds like a good thing for Australia – when we think, “We can export more” – the reality of that is very few people profit from that higher export.’

The Trump Administration’s tariffs of up to 25 per cent on agricultural imports are coming into effect on Thursday, along with tariffs on pharmaceutical products.

‘If it’s a large tariff but applied to everyone, our competitive position remains the same,’ Mr Gidley-Baird said.

They follow 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, introduced on March 12.

Business

NNPC Slashes Petrol Price

Published

8 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced petrol prices at its retail stations in Lagos, Abuja, and other states by at least N20 per litre.

Current pump prices now range between N895 and N965.

In Lagos, the price dropped from N910 to N890 per litre, while in Abuja, it moved down from N940 to N920 per litre.

Other stations, including Ardova, MRS, and First Royal, are now selling petrol at N890 per litre.

Across the country, new pump prices for major states are as follows: Abuja N920, Lagos N890, Abia N912, Adamawa N940, Akwa Ibom N910, Anambra N905, Bauchi N915, Bayelsa N900, Benue N935, Borno N945, Cross River N910, Delta N900, Ebonyi N928, Edo N910, Enugu N912, Gombe N965, Imo N928, Kaduna N935, Kano N935, Kwara N905, Nassarawa N935, Niger N955, Ogun N905, Ondo N905, Osun N895, Oyo N905, Plateau N900, Rivers N895, Sokoto N935, Taraba N950, Yobe N950, and Zamfara N945.

Depot prices have also been adjusted following the arrival of fresh petrol shipments.

In Lagos, depots such as Wosbab, Chipet, Integrated, and Bovas now sell at N836 per litre, with Aiteo charging N835. Port Harcourt depots including Masters, Liquid Bulk, and Bulk Strategic reduced rates to N853, while Warri depots adjusted prices between N846 and N848.

Calabar depots also lowered costs, with rates ranging from N846 to N849 per litre.

The reduction comes after Dangote Refinery lowered its gantry price to N840 per litre.

Diesel prices also fell, dropping from N950 to N910 per litre.

Business

Egbu Community That Powers South East Battles Months Of Darkness

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Egbu community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has endured months of crippling electricity outages, even as it hosts a Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facility supplying and distributing power to the entire South-East.

Residents describe the situation as cruelly ironic: while electricity flows from their town to cities across five states, Egbu itself receives barely two hours of power daily.

The blackout has intensified amid a standoff between the Imo State government and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over the proposed Orashi Electricity Distribution Company.

Governor Hope Uzodimma announced at the recent Imo Economic Summit that Orashi Electricity Distribution Company would commence operations in December, promising improved supply and stability across the state.

Before this announcement, the Imo State government accused EEDC of deliberately shutting down power in retaliation for the creation of the new distribution company. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, insisted the state’s intervention aims solely to improve electricity delivery and protect residents.

EEDC, through its Head of Communications, Emeka Eze, denied the claim, asserting the company has no intention to disrupt supply. It also noted that agents of the state government had previously interfered with its Egbu transmission facility, disrupting operations.

Caught in the crossfire, Egbu remains the worst affected, with prolonged blackouts crippling businesses and daily life. Residents say the 11KV Egbu feeder, which supplies electricity locally, has been in poor condition for years, severely limiting power availability.

Augustine Njoku, a youth leader in Mpana area, said, “That 11KV feeder has been bad for years. EEDC refuses to fix it, and that is why we are in darkness.”

Small businesses are struggling. Uche Onwuka, who runs a football viewing centre at Ishiuzor village, said unreliable power has driven away customers. “I spend everything on petrol; there’s no profit left,” he lamented.

Restaurant owner, Ms Augusta Igwe added, “Running my generator eats up all my profit. How could two hours of electricity supply improve my business. This is unacceptable. I can no longer cope.”

Am Electronics trader, Gibson Amuneke said he was forced to close his shop: “There is no business without electricity.. This is very insensitive. When you go to other parts of the State, there is reasonable power supply but here in Egbu, which hosts the Transmission. station, we hardly get supply”

Residents also complain of high estimated electricity bills despite scant supply, describing it as unfair for a community that hosts a major national power installation.

Efforts to reach EEDC officials about the 11KV feeder and residents’ claims went unanswered. With Orashi Electricity Distribution Company set to begin operations in December and the EEDC-Imo standoff unresolved, Egbu residents remain trapped in darkness, questioning how a community that powers the South-East can be left in such neglect.

Business

Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security, saying he feels perfectly safe during his visit to the country. His remarks come amid ongoing reports of insecurity in various parts of Nigeria, making his statement a notable endorsement of the nation’s stability in certain regions.

Johnson made the declaration on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while addressing participants at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the state capital. He acknowledged having read travel advisories and news reports highlighting security concerns prior to his trip but said his experience has been reassuring.

He said he feels perfectly safe in the country and emphasized that the summit environment and local hospitality contributed to his sense of security. He also asked the audience if they felt safe, receiving an enthusiastic affirmation.

During his visit, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their development initiatives, particularly efforts to provide 24-hour electricity. He highlighted the potential of Nigeria as a hub for innovation and economic growth, noting the opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

While his statements have been welcomed by some as a boost to international confidence in Nigeria, analysts caution that the former prime minister’s experience reflects only a controlled and secure environment within Imo State. Several parts of the country continue to face challenges, including banditry, communal conflicts, and kidnappings.

Nonetheless, Johnson’s visit and remarks are significant, sending a positive message to investors and global observers about Nigeria’s potential for stability and progress. They also underscore the contrast between localized experiences of safety and broader security challenges across the country.