April 7, 2011
 

Australian beef exports to South Asia rise 

In contrast to the same period last year, Australian beef exports to South East Asia and China during March rose 5%.

Assisting the rise for the month was increased beef supplies, along with strong demand from most countries within the region, with the exception of Indonesia.

Shipments during March to China (up 148%), Malaysia (up 68%), the Philippines (up 23%) and Taiwan (up 55%) all increased on year, largely fuelled by increased interest for manufacturing beef and shin shank.

Australian exports to Indonesia for March totalled 1,845 tonnes similar to 45% during the same period last year.

Chilled beef shipments to South East Asia and China jumped 20% for the month, to 1,459 tonnes, largely due to increase shipments to Taiwan following issues with US beef. Emerging demand from Malaysia and China for chilled beef also contributed to the increase for the month.

Australian beef exports for the first three months of 2011 to South East Asia and China totalled 26,158 tonnes, up 2% on the same period in 2010 and 41% above the average for the past five years.