Chinese beef imports jumped 30% on-year during the first five months of 2010 to a record 5,696 tonnes swt, according to official statistics from the Chinese Customs Bureau.

 

Driving the increase was the continued strong demand for beef in China, with higher imports of both New Zealand and Uruguayan beef more than offsetting falls from Australia and Brazil.

 

Impacted by reduced production during the first quarter of 2010, Australia's imported beef market share in China decreased to 26%. Australia remained the dominant supplier of chilled loin cuts to China during the period, despite the tighter supplies and high Australian dollar pushing chilled prices 46% higher on last year, to average AUD21.23/kg.

 

Imports of Brazilian beef, influenced by reduced supplies and stronger competition from other markets, fell 27% on-year, to only 261 tonnes - making up 5% of total imports between January and May.

 

During 2010, Uruguay has emerged as the dominant frozen beef supplier to China. Beef imports from Uruguay for the five months trebled on the same period in 2009, to 2,780 tonnes swt - making up 49% of total imports. China also imported 30% more beef from New Zealand during the period (1,155 tonnes swt).