August 20, 2010

Australian beef exports to Southeast Asia soar 18%

Australian beef exports to Southeast Asia and Greater China during July jumped 18% to total 13,231 tonnes swt, lifting shipments to the region over the calendar year to July by 3% to 71,062 tonnes swt.

Despite the Australian dollar hovering near US$0.90 over the seven months to July, strong demand has maintained Australian beef exports to the region at historically high levels.

Demand for high-valued beef in Southeast Asia and Greater China continued over the January-July period, as chilled shipments increased 7% and grain-fed beef volume jumped 49% on a year ago, to total 7,742 tonnes swt and 5,455 tonnes swt, respectively.

Dominating exports to Southeast Asia and Greater China during the calendar year to July were volumes of manufacturing beef (36% of total beef exports), shin shank (17%), blade (8%) and knuckle (7%) that were mainly sent to Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines. The higher volumes sent to Malaysia, Hong Kong and China also reflected growing demand for beef in these markets.