April 20, 2009

New Zealand's beef and veal exports in March have increased 11 percent on-year to 41,459 tonnes swt.

Beef exports to Canada increased 129 percent to 4,077 tonnes, while shipments to the US grew nine percent to 19,721 tonnes.

Volumes to Japan and South Korea, however, decreased seven percent and 32 percent to 2,655 tonnes and 3,154 tonnes, respectively.

While beef and veal exports remained constant for the financial year to date, chilled beef exports have dropped 17 percent to 11,022 tonnes over the period.

Chilled beef volumes to the US, South Korea, and the EU for the six-month period declined by 57 percent, 69 percent and 24 percent respectively. The declines reflected the consumers' tendency to buy cheaper meat cuts in response to the recession, and a 36-percent increase in the number of cows slaughtered compared to last season.

Chilled beef exports to the Middle East, however, increased 35 percent over the six-month period to 2,033 tonnes swt.