May 10, 2012

Australian beef and veal exports to South Asia drop in April

Australian beef and veal to South Asia during April have dropped by 5%, to 8,482 tonnes, the first monthly on-year decline so far in 2012, although exports for the first four months are still 6% above year ago levels at 37,264 tonnes.

Exports to Taiwan continue to dominate market share, with shipments rising 38% on-year, to 3,468 tonnes in April. As a result of the partial ban on US imports, demand for Australian product remains strong. Shipments to Indonesia (1,391 tonnes) during April increased 81% on the corresponding period, with a rebound in demand underpinning the growth. Shipments to Hong Kong increased 29% on-year, to 598 tonnes.

However, offsetting these increases were falls in exports to all other markets, with shipments to Malaysia (951 tonnes), Philippines (809 tonnes) and Singapore (747 tonnes) declining 26%, 64% and 8% on-year, respectively.

Despite remaining the most popular cut, manufacturing exports during April fell 52% on-year, to 1,823 tonnes, with high global prices influencing demand. However, exports of shin/shank (predominantly exported to Taiwan) surged 45% over the same period, to 1,641 tonnes.