JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – A recent trade deal between the European Union and Australia for red meat is unlikely to significantly affect Northeast Arkansas cattle ranchers, according to an Arkansas State University agriculture professor.
Dr. Hunter Burnett, an assistant professor of agriculture at Arkansas State University, said the deal involves about 30,000 metric tons of red meat split between beef and sheep production. Burnett and his family have raised cattle and livestock since the 1970s.
He and his wife now raise their own cattle.
“Looking at the numbers, it’s about 30,000 metric tons of red meat. The deal is, that is split between beef production and then also sheep production,” Burnett said.
Burnett said the United States and United Kingdom also struck a reciprocal deal for 13,000 metric tons of beef for each side. He said considering the amount of red meat produced locally and internationally, the numbers in these deals are fairly small.
“We have to trade some of these goods back and forth between our country and their countries because they have products we need and vice versa, back to what we need in the United States,” Burnett said.
Burnett said the deals might cause small changes to some markets but not much. He said factors like fuel prices, drought, and environmental conditions will have a bigger impact on producers and consumers.
“We could see a small minute change in market prices. It’s not going to affect us, the sell barn. I really don’t see that it’s going to affect the consumer per se. Where we’re going to see the big changes is what’s going to happen with fuel, with the drought, environmental conditions. That’s what’s going to ultimately impact the producer’s bottom dollar and their pocket book, or the consumer that has to buy it at the local grocery store,” Burnett said.
Burnett urged people to continue supporting local agriculture.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2026 KAIT. All rights reserved.