August 22, 2007

Australia's July beef imports to South Korea unchanged

South Korea's beef imports from Australia of 18,511 tonnes (custom cleared) this July were similar to last year of the same month, according to Korea Trade Information Services (KOTIS).

Australian beef imports were down 15 percent to 11,448 tonnes from July 2006 but Australian chilled beef was up 9 percent on last year to 2,258 tonnes, as a result of strong retail demand in Korea. Frozen imports from Australia declined 19 percent to 9,190 tonnes.

Beef imports from the US increased to 3,432 tonnes, with the majority (93 percent) of frozen product.

Australia's share of total imports fell 11 percentage points in July to 62 percent as the share of US beef crept up to 18 percent, to be equal with New Zealand's share. Australia's chilled beef share remained at 86 percent, while frozen was the most affected by the increased US volumes, falling to 58 percent.