The 2020 report, produced by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and released on behalf of the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) and red meat industry, provides an overview of the industry including updated figures on production, consumption, exports, the economic significance of the industry and key issue snapshots. The Australian red meat and livestock industry faced one of the most challenging years on record in 2019, as a myriad of pressures unfolded, in domestic and global markets.Drought conditions intensified across the eastern states, with the Bureau of Meteorology officially declaring 2019 as the hottest and driest year on record in Australia.Cattle and sheep producers were forced to destock paddocks, driving the national herd and flock to historical lows and the national bushfire crisis further tested the resilience of Australian red meat producers. Despite these challenges, Australian red meat continues to be recognised as the high quality protein of choice worldwide.