August 14, 2010

Chinese June beef imports has hiked 152% on-year, lifting total imports for the 2009-10 fiscal year 136% to a record 17,776 tonnes swt.

The rise in imports was due to a 150% surge in frozen beef imports, offsetting a 33% fall in chilled volumes, supported by underlying strong demand, subdued domestic production and high local beef prices.

Australian beef imports for 2010 has risen 38%, to 5,566 tonnes swt, accounting for 31% of the total imported beef market. Australia dominated the imported chilled beef market (mainly loin cuts), with a 94% market share.

Despite Australia's chilled beef dominance in 2009-10, Uruguay contributed to 44% of the total imported market at 7,801 tonnes swt – the largest supplier of beef for the period. Comparative beef prices have pushed the jump in Uruguay shipments.

For the same period against on-year, New Zealand and Brazil imports have increased 120% and 186%, respectively to 3,137 tonnes swt and 1,272 tonnes swt.