July 11, 2013

Australia's red meat exports to South Asia maintain record-pace

During the month of June, Australia's beef and veal exports to South Asia were steady on-year, at 11,252 tonnes, with the third highest sheep meat monthly exports on record, at 4,868 tonnes, according to the country's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Both beef and sheep meat exports to the region during the first six months of 2013 maintained record pace, at 63,498 tonnes (up 6% on the same period last year) and 23,355 tonnes (up 46%), respectively.

Despite lower shipments to most countries, improved volumes to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines contributed to exports remaining at the similar level as the corresponding period last year.

Assisted by increased demand towards Ramadan (July 9 to August 7, 2013), Australian beef exports to Indonesia during June lifted 2% on-year, at 2,815 tonnes. Exports to Malaysia were also up 33% on-year, to 1,552 tonnes, with shipments to the Philippines rising 26% on-year, at 2,230 tonnes. 

In contrast, beef exports to Taiwan were down 7% on-year, at 3,061 tonnes. The decrease was largely attributed to lower exports of chilled beef - to 243 tonnes (down 48%), impacted primarily by increased competition from the US. While Taiwan secured more shin/shank than June last year, at 1,194 tonnes (up 29%), blade exports were down 38%, at 537 tonnes, due to strong demand from China and Korea. With increasing exports from South American countries, Australia's trade to Singapore slowed, with a 25% on-year fall, at 1,028 tonnes.

Exports to Hong Kong totalled 322 tonnes, with a substantial drop in frozen beef exports - down 67% on-year, at 126 tonnes. Shipments to Thailand and Vietnam were also sluggish during June, at 134 tonnes (down 7% on-year) and 112 tonnes (down 29% on-year), respectively.

The strong sheep meat monthly exports included the fifth largest monthly mutton volume, at 2,998 tonnes (up 245% on-year), and 1,870 tonnes of lamb (up 48% on-year). Mutton carcase exports to the region reached 2,111 tonnes - accounting for 39% of Australia's total carcase exports during June. Previously, carcase were shipped to mainly Malaysia and Singapore, but June exports were split into five countries; Hong Kong (641 tonnes), Malaysia (465 tonnes), Singapore (306 tonnes) Taiwan (368 tonnes) and Vietnam (328 tonnes). The most popular lamb cut during June was leg (up 89% on-year, to 357 tonnes), which was mainly shipped to Indonesia (132 tonnes) and Malaysia (131 tonnes), exceeding breast and flap, at 284 tonnes (up 26% on-year).