August 4, 2010

Australian beef exports up 2.8% in July

Australia's July boneless beef exports rose 2.8% to 89,623 tonnes in July and jumped 8.4% from last year, according to monthly figures issued Tuesday (Aug 3) by the government's Department of Agriculture.

Exports in July took total shipments in the first seven months of this year to 525,718 tonnes, down 3.9% on year, according to the department.

Typically, about 65% of Australian beef production is destined for overseas consumers, earning about A$5 billion a year, making Australia the second-biggest global exporter after Brazil.

But in the first half of 2010 only 60% of output was exported as a comparatively strong domestic market attracted more beef and a stronger Australian currency contributed to the reduced export share, industry marketing group Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd. (MLA) reported in a half-yearly upgrade of its outlook projections.

MLA now forecasts total exports in 2010 at 900,000 tonnes; if achieved, it would be down 2.9% compared with actual shipments of 927,300 tonnes last year but up 25,000 tonnes or 2.9% from a February estimate.

In July, 32,338 tonnes were exported to Japan, up 17% on month but down 1.5% on year; they took shipments in the first seven months to 204,370 tonnes, down 3.4% on year, the department reported.

Exports to the US were down 15% on month but 2.2% higher on year at 20,696 tonnes. Shipments to the US in the first seven months fell 24% to 126,462 tonnes, in part reflecting the impact of a stronger Australian currency.

South Korea continued to be the third-biggest export market, taking 11,948 tonnes in July, down 1.3% on month but up 13% on year, with exports in the first seven months 16% higher at 70,234 tonnes.

Among other destinations, Indonesia imported 5,201 tonnes in July, which took shipments in the first seven months to 24,710 tonnes, down 5.8% on year.

Exports to Russia hit 4,618 tonnes in July, taking total shipments in the first seven months to 19,732 tonnes, more than double from a year ago, amid tight supply from traditional South American suppliers.