July 4, 2006

 

Australian beef output rises 1.5 percent in May 

 

 

Beef production in Australia, rose 1.5 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted 177,458 tonnes from April, but was down 3.8 percent from May 2005, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Tuesday (Jul 4). 

 

The total number of cattle slaughtered in May, excluding calves, at 658,600 beasts was little moved from April, but down 3.8 percent from May 2005, according to the bureau.

 

The trend estimate for beef production in May rose for the eighth consecutive month, to 178,975 tonnes, the highest figure since May 2005.

 

Australia exports about two-thirds of its beef production, with more than 90 percent of exports typically destined for Japan, the US and South Korea.

 

Australia's export levels are closely tied to production.

  

                            Australian meat production

                (seasonally adjusted, tonnes, carcass weight)

 

                       May 06              Apr. 06               May 05

Beef               177,458              174,760             184,493

Veal                   2,423                 2,440                 2,233

Mutton              20,673               20,761               21,360

Lamb                32,558               32,408               31,177

Pork                 31,599               30,198               31,561

 

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)