February 12, 2004

Australia's Fourth Quarter 2003 Beef Output Up 0.8%

Beef production in Australia, a major global exporter, edged 0.8% higher in the fourth quarter of 2003 to 489,106 metric tons from 485,447 tons in the third quarter, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday.

Beef output last quarter was down 6% from 520,338 tons in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Australia exports about two-thirds of its beef production, mostly to the U.S. and Japan.

The bureau reported the total number of cattle slaughtered, excluding calves, last quarter rose to 1.94 million from 1.93 million in the third quarter, both down from 2.1 million in the 2002 fourth quarter.

Australian beef production rose sharply in 2002 as cattle producers sold beasts, shrinking their herds, in the face of a drought that withered pastures.

With the breaking of the drought in most parts of eastern Australia in 2003, beef production fell with many producers now holding beasts on properties to take advantage of rejuvenated pastures.