April 10, 2006

Australia reports strong beef exports to Japan and the US

Australian beef exports during March reached 90,805 tonnes, the highest monthly shipment in 4 years, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

Beef shipments to Japan during March totalled 43,263 tonnes, the highest monthly total on record. Demand was driven by the nearing of the Golden Week period in mid-April and its associated promotional campaigns. Furthermore, Japanese importers and wholesalers have been scaling down their orders for the past few months, anticipating the return of US beef, which later failed to materialise.

Exports to the US for the month totalled 30,915 tonnes, up 5 percent on-year. Reduced beef supplies from Uruguay to the US during March, coupled with US buying for the Easter period, also contributed to strong sales for the month. A booming fast food industry in the US is also lifting frozen beef sales, with more US restaurants reporting higher sales compared with last year.

Exports to Korea and Taiwan remained similar to levels at the same period last year, even through the latter had re-opened its markets to US beef.