August 8, 2008

New Zealand shipped 28-percent more beef to Southeast Asia and China during January to June 2008 compared to the same period last year.

New Zealand exported 41,008 tonnes swt to the regions, with the growth driven by increased Southeast Asian demand and a recovery in trade with Malaysia following widespread expansion in the foodservice sectors in these markets.

Shipments to the Philippines surged 156 percent during January to June to 4,227 tonnes swt. Beef exports to Singapore jumped 86 percent to 2,608 tonnes swt, while New Zealand also shipped 31-percent more beef to Indonesia, reaching 17,517 tonnes swt.

Exports to Hong Kong spiked 96 percent on-year to 2,964 tonnes swt while trade with Malaysia recovered to 1,114 tonnes swt. However, due to competition from US beef, shipments to Taiwan fell 13 percent to 11,877 tonnes swt.