August 9, 2010

Korea posts 15% rise in H1 Australian beef sales

Australian beef sales in the three largest Korean discount retailers increased 15% to reach 6,540 tonnes swt from January to June this year, compared with the same time in 2009, according to the reports.

E-Mart, Korea's leading discount retailer reported that its stores sold 3,485 tonnes of Australian beef in the first six months this year - rising 18% on last year. In the same period, the retail giant sold 1,537 tonnes of US beef compared with 1,549 tonnes in 2009.

Australia's rising sales trend was also evident in Lotte Mart stores, selling 1,411 tonnes of Australian beef, up 33% on-year. US beef sales reached 651 tonnes (down 29.5% year-on-year), while domestic Hanwoo beef sales totalled 870 tonnes.

Major discount retail chain Homeplus sales of Australian beef remained steady in the first six months of 2010 compared with last year, while US beef sales were subdued.

From January to June this year, Korea imported 65,002 tonnes swt of Australian beef, 37,591 tonnes swt of US beef, 20,555 tonnes swt of New Zealand beef and 1,521 tonnes swt of Mexican beef, the reports said.