May 18, 2007

Australia increases its beef exports to Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia's beef imports from Australia have increased by 144 percent to 2,485 tonnes slaughterweight (swt) in April. Total Australian exports in the region have reached 10,343 tonnes swt in the first four months of 2007.

Chilled beef exports to Southeast Asia grew over the first four months of 2007 to all markets, totalling 1,514 tonnes swt, to reach the highest level since 1995.

Malaysia posted the biggest increase for Australian chilled beef, from 20 tonnes swt in 2006 to 267 tonnes swt in 2007 with three Australian plants gaining access to the predominantly Muslim market in April last year.

Shipments of chilled beef also increased 87 percent to Indonesia to 439 tonnes swt and 15 percent to Singapore 477 tonnes swt.

Grainfed beef exports to Southeast Asia from January to April period 2007 reached the highest level for the past 12 years, at 1,256 tonnes swt, accounting for an increasing proportion of total beef shipments to the region ¨C 12 percent compared with 1 percent in 1995.

During the same period, the volume of manufacturing beef cuts sent to Southeast Asia increased 305 percent compared with year ago levels to 4,499 tonnes swt, accounting for 43 percent of total beef shipments to the region. Indonesia is the major market for manufacturing beef exports to the region, accounting for 79 percent (3,542 tonnes swt) of the total in the four months to April 2007.

Exports of loin beef cuts soared by 52 percent in the first four months of 2007, to 1,130 tonnes swt, with Indonesia and Singapore being the main buyers from the region.

Australia expects a good run of beef exports in Southeast Asia as high-end chilled products meets the demand from quality foodservice and upper supermarket segments.