January 25, 2013

Australia's 2012 red meat exports to South Asia shows mixed results

During 2012, Australia's red meat exports to South Asia (excluding China) showed mixed results while exports to China reached record volumes.

Australian beef exports during 2012 declined 2% from 2011, to 132,067 tonnes swt, while total sheep meat exports during the year rose 4%, to 32,300 tonnes swt, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The decrease in beef shipments during 2012 was underpinned by lower exports to Hong Kong (6,340 tonnes swt), finishing the year down 29% on-year, and a decline to Indonesia, slipping 32% on-year, to 27,097 tonnes swt, where trade was affected by access issues.

In contrast, beef exports to the remaining countries in the region reached record levels. Taiwan, the fourth largest market for Australian beef in 2012, finished the year with a 4% on-year increase, to 38,280 tonnes swt. Underpinning the increase of exports to the Philippines during 2012 (up 22%, 25,718 tonnes swt) were a favourable economic situation and a reported expansion of the food service sector in the market. Exports to Malaysia and Singapore also showed strong growth in 2012, with volumes totalling 15,544 tonnes swt (up 8% on 2011) and 14,087 tonnes swt (up 46% on 2011), respectively. Exports to Thailand during 2012 lifted 12% on 2011, to 2,789 tonnes swt, with exports to Vietnam rising 50%, to 2,212 tonnes swt.

Comprising of Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the increase in shipments to these six countries was registered across all sectors, except chilled grain-fed product, which declined, to 5,189 tonnes swt (down 5% on-year). While the majority (81%) shipped was frozen grass-fed product, at 80,317 tonnes swt (up 13% on 2011), frozen grain-fed product exports almost doubled, to 5,569 tonnes swt (up 96% on 2011). Chilled grass-fed product also improved to 7,555 tonnes swt (up 17% on 2011).

The 4% rise of the total sheep meat exports to South Asia during 2012 was attributed to an increase in mutton exports, rising 34% on-year, to 17,546 tonnes swt. Significant growth in mutton exports was registered in shipments to Malaysia, lifting 60% on-year, to 5,562 tonnes swt. Lamb exports to South Asia during 2012 contracted 18% on 2011, to 14,754 tonnes swt, largely due to a 44% decrease in exports to Hong Kong, where 3,491 tonnes swt were sent.