September 9, 2010

Australian August beef exports slide 8.8%

Australia's August beef exports fell 8.8% to 81,710 boneless tonnes as compared with July but were still 4.5% higher compared with last August, said the Department of Agriculture Monday (Sept 6).

August exports took total shipments in the first eight months of the year to 607,428 tonnes, down 2.9%, with larger shipments to Russia and South Korea being more than offset by smaller ones to the US.

Usually, about two-thirds of Australian beef production is destined for overseas consumers, earning about A$4.5 billion (US$4.15 billion) a year and making Australia the second-biggest global exporter after Brazil. But in the first half of 2010, only 60% of output was exported, as a comparatively strong domestic market attracted more beef and a stronger Australian currency damped exports.

Exports to the US in August of 17,743 tonnes fell 14% on-month and 12% on-year. Shipments to the US in the first eight months of this year fell 23% to 144,205 tonnes, in part reflecting the impact of a stronger Australian currency.

Exports to Japan in August fell 2.8% to 31,439 tonnes on-month but rose 6.1% on-year. Exports in August took total shipments to Japan in the first eight months to 235,809 tonnes, down 2.2% on-year.

South Korea continued to be the third-biggest export market, taking 10,706 tonnes in August, down 10% on-month and 6.8% on-year, with exports in the first eight months 13% higher on-year at 70,940 tonnes.

Among other destinations, Indonesia imported 5,595 tonnes in August, which took shipments in the first eight months to 29,765 tonnes, down 0.8%.

Exports to Russia fell 30% in August to 3,228 tonnes, taking total shipments in the first eight months to 22,960 tonnes, more than double the on-year level amid tight supply from traditional South American suppliers.