South Asia continues strong beef purchases

South Asia is still a strong beef market for exporting countries, as overall sales there rose despite seeing a decrease in shipments to certain individual markets.

Australia beef exports to South Asia during the first five months of 2009 reached a new record of 46,270 tonnes, up 30 percent on-year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

Despite the increase, shipments to the Philippines and Singapore declined six percent and two percent, respectively, due to weaker demand for manufacturing beef in the Philippines and falling neck shipments to Singapore as the economic downturn impacted trade, MLA said.

Meanwhile, exports to the other markets experienced strong growth.

During January to May 2009, Brazilian beef exports to South Asia increased 19 percent on-year to 55,630 tonnes.

The growth was mainly driven by strong demand in China and Hong Kong, offsetting declines in shipments in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

New Zealand's beef exports to South Asia during the period fell two percent on-year to 33,374 tonnes, as shipments to Indonesia and the Philippines fell 17 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

US beef exports from January to April rose 29 percent from the same period last year to 32,170 tonnes, supported by robust demand from China as exports to other South Asian markets fell.