February 29, 2008

US exports record beef volume in Southeast Asia, China in 2007

The US shipped a record of 46,700 tonnes swt beef to Southeast Asia and China last year, amidst price hikes and some restrictions.

The US was restricted to export boneless beef derived from cattle under 30 months of age.

The USDA reported that shipments during 2007 was 64 percent higher than 2006 and 13 percent above 2002 figures, including a 58-percent soar in chilled beef at 12,047 tonnes swt and a 67 percent jump in frozen volume at 34,723 tonnes swt.

Record US beef exports were seen in Taiwan and the Philippines, which surged 6 percent and 73 percent on 2006, respectively, to 22,564 tonnes swt and 2,671 tonnes swt.

Beef shipped to Hong Kong leaped 225 percent, at 9,231 tonnes swt.

Australia's other key competitor, New Zealand exported 14 percent more beef to South-East Asia and Chinas in 2007, at 53,992 tonnes swt.