June 4, 2008

Australian beef exports to Russia doubles in May
    

Australia's beef exports to Russia more than doubled in May from April after Russia imposed a series of company-specific bans on EU meat.

Exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), chiefly Russia, in May rose to 17,557 boneless tonnes from 8,426 tonnes in April, according to figures supplied by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Exports to CIS in the first five months of 2008 rose to 30,749 tonnes, compared with 532 tonnes in the corresponding period last year, according to the figures.

Japan remained Australia's largest beef export market in May with shipments of 34,768 tonnes, up 5.1 percent on-month but down 3.9 percent on-year.

Total Australian beef exports in May totalled 93,933 tonnes, up 6.4 percent on-month and up 5.4 percent on-year. Total shipments for the first five months totalled 372,299 tonnes, down 4.4 percent on-year.

Russia's ban on European meat increased the pressure of supply shortage and high prices from South American exporters, mainly Brazil and Argentina, pushing Russia to look for alternate sources of beef, Meat & Livestock Australia said.

Australia is the world's second largest beef exporter after Brazil, with exports in 2007 reaching 941,419 boneless tonnes valued at nearly AU$5 billion (US$4.8 billion).