March 2, 2004

New Zealand Beef Exports Up 30%

New Zealand beef exporters have reported a 30% increase in exports following the prohibition of US beef in key Asian markets such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

New Zealand's beef exports to Japan were 136% higher in January, at 2,944 tonnes sw.  In addition to sending more beef overseas, New Zealand is sending a larger share to Japan.  New Zealand's beef exports to Japan in January 2003 accounted for just 4% of total New Zealand beef exports, while in January 2004 Japan accounted for 7% of New Zealand 's total beef exports.

Beef exports to other key north Asian beef markets, Korea and Taiwan, also increased. New Zealand 's January beef exports to Korea jumped 83% from January last year, to 3,802 tonnes sw, while New Zealand beef exports to Taiwan were up 67% on January 2003, to 3,000 tonnes sw.

Despite rising exports to north Asian markets, the US remains New Zealand 's largest export beef market, accounting for 55% of beef exports.  Contrary to the trend witnessed for Australian beef exports to the US during January, New Zealand beef exports rose 29% from January last year to 22,116 tonnes sw.