September 13, 2007

Australia's August beef exports to South Korea highest this year

Australia's beef exports to South Korea in August totalled 13,479 tonnes slaughterweight (swt), the highest monthly shipment this year since the very high volumes in the first quarter of 2007. However, shipments remained 15 percent below on-year.

The approaching Chuseok festival and preparations for the seasonal lift in beef consumption for the rest of the year were the factors for the increased exports. Demand for Australian beef was also heightened by the cancellation of quarantine inspections by much of US beef in August.

According to figures released by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, shipments in August were dominated by chuck roll (20 percent), blade (15 percent), short rib (12 percent) and brisket (10 percent).

Blade shipments were down 27 percent to 2,014 tonnes swt on August last year; brisket was down 34 percent to 1,379 tonnes swt, while chuck roll was down 10 percent to 2,740 tonnes. In contrast, short rib exports increased 6 percent to 1,593 tonnes swt and manufacturing beef was also up 10 percent to 1,412 tonnes swt. Shin shank dropped by 17 percent on August last year, but was the highest monthly volume for the year at 1,230 tonnes swt.