August 6, 2008

Australia's beef exports buoyed by Russian demand

Australia's beef exports jumped in July as shipments to its new market, Russia, has sharply risen, official figures indicate Tuesday (August 5).

Shipments of boneless beef totalled 92,585 tonnes in July, up 13 percent on-month and up 20 percent on-year.

Exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States, mainly Russia, surged by 26 percent on-month in July to 13,389 tonnes, way up the 105 tonnes shipped in July last year, said the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Australian exports to Russia soared in recent months, reflecting strong demand and supply constraints among traditional suppliers in Brazil, Argentina and in Europe.

Exports of 54,760 tonnes to the CIS in the first seven months of this year were up from 782 tonnes in the year-earlier period.

Australia is the second-biggest global exporter of beef after Brazil, with exports as of June 30 totalling 930,320 boneless tonnes valued at AUD4.5 billion.

Japan remains as Australia's biggest beef export market in July, with shipments at 35,510 tonnes, up 13 percent on-month and on-year. Shipments in the first seven months of 2008 to Japan of 215,893 tonnes were down 3.8 percent on-year.