July 4, 2014

Australia's total beef exports for the 2013-14 fiscal year set a new record in June, with total beef and veal exports reaching 103,257 tonnes shipped weight, up 18% on-year.

This is the fourth month in 2014 to exceed 100,000 tonnes swt. According to the Department of Agriculture, total 2013-14 fiscal year exports hit a record 1.18 million tonnes swt, up 17% on-year.

Relatively strong export prices were maintained over the period, particularly to the US.

Despite being Australia's second largest beef export market in June at 24,826 tonnes swt (back 2% on-year), Japan was the largest market for 2013-14 at 279,702 tonnes swt, down 6p% on 2012-13 and 17% below the five-year average.

June saw Australian beef exports to the US reach 30,187 tonnes swt, up 87% on-year, with the 12-month fiscal period up 29% on-year, totalling 265,920 tonnes swt.

China was the third largest export market during the past 12 months, with aggregate volumes at 160,441 tonnes swt, up 74% on 2012-13. Exports to China marginally exceeded exports to Korea, which were up 13% over the same period, to 155,656 tonnes swt.

There was widespread growth registered across the developing beef export markets, with total shipments to the Middle East increasing 31% compared to the previous fiscal year, to 62,574 tonnes swt. Exports to Indonesia jumped 79% on-year, to 51,252 tonnes swt.

Exports to Taiwan totalled 38,195 tonnes swt, up 2% on a year ago, while the 2013-14 fiscal year saw volumes to the EU up 30% on 2012-13, to 22,879 tonnes swt.