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Malaysians are now the biggest consumers of beef in Southeast Asia, with the average person eating approximately 9.5kg of red meat annually
This translates to roughly 200g a week (about a steak every seven days).
According to data from Meat & Livestock Australia, while poultry still leads the market, beef imports surged from 140,000 tonnes in 2014 to over 200,000 tonnes in 2024.
This shift mirrors a broader Asian trend where traditional plant-rich diets are being swapped for carnivorous ones, fuelled by rising urban wealth and globalisation.
In Malaysia, the self-sufficiency rate for beef is currently at 11%, meaning most of what we eat comes from abroad
India remains the largest supplier at 86%, primarily providing buffalo meat, followed by Australia at 8%.
Local dining habits are a massive driver
"Food service [restaurants, catering, and hotels] is probably driving about 60% of the whole segment," noted Valeska V, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) regional manager for Southeast Asia.
The rise of halal-certified Chinese Muslim hot pot and Korean barbecue joints has also turned steak into a social event.
