May 17, 2010
US beef exports overtaking Australia in Asian markets
US beef exports have recorded a big jump in two of Australia's most important markets, Japan and South Korea.
USDA figures show a boom in exports to Japan, with sales up 30% for the first three months of the year. Sales to South Korea increased about 10%.
Peter Greenham, from beef exporters Greenham Tasmania, says the figures support what he had been hearing from Japanese buyers.
"There has been a little bit more demand for some items, but then again, they've always been talking about the USA," he said. "They can get a certain amount of items from the USA, which has been taking over what Australia has been supplying. So there are some items now which we're probably priced out of it, whereas in the US it is a lot cheaper," he added.
