April 11, 2007

Australian beef exports steady in March
 

Beef and veal exports by Australia have increased by two percent to 92,645 metric tonnes in March, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) said that the increase in beef exports was largely driven by a 40 percent jump in shipments sent to South Korea during March, to 13,959 metric tonnes.

Total exports to South Korea during the first quarter of 2007 reached 41,957 metric tonnes - up by 61 percent on year-ago level.

Despite a two percent increase in the volume shipped in the US in March to 31,654 metric tonnes, shipments for the first quarter of 2007 were down by two percent, to 68,880 metric tonnes.

MLA said that shipments to Japan decreased by 10 percent, to 38,836 metric tonnes, with weaker consumption in Japan and the stronger Australian dollar contributing to the decline.

Australian beef exports to Japan from January to March reached 95,585 metric tonnes, up by one percent on the same period in 2006.

Exports to Indonesia more than tripled on the same time last year, to 2,150 metric tonnes, while shipments to Taiwan eased back by 12 percent, to 2,136 metric tonnes.

MLA said the steady rise in exports during March was assisted by a five percent increase in beef production during February.