September 20, 2013

 

 

Australia's red meat exports to South Asia increased by 14% on-year to 14,612 tonnes shipped weight brought about by an increased volume of sheep meat exported to the region during August.

 

Meat and Livestock Australia reports Australia's August shipments comprised 4,022 tonnes swt of sheep meat, up 120% on-year, offsetting a 3% decline in beef exports, at 10,590 tonnes swt.

 

During August the greater sheep meat exports consisted of 2,633 tonnes swt of mutton (up 228%on-year) and 1,389 tonnes swt of lamb (up 35%). Malaysia and Singapore were the top two destinations for sheep meat at 1,539 tonnes swt (up 178% on-year) and 758 tonnes swt (up 25%), respectively.

 

The cuts shipped in the largest quantities to the region during August were sheep meat carcase up 259% on-year, at 1,463 tonnes swt and manufacturing up 170%, at 775 tonnes swt, the majority of which was mutton, at 1,361 tonnes swt, up 325% on-year and 677 tonnes swt, up 219%, respectively.

 

The largest destination for these two cuts was Malaysia taking 407 tonnes swt of mutton carcase and 427 tonnes swt of manufacturing mutton.

 

In terms of lamb exports by cut, breast and flap (403 tonnes swt) and shoulder (408 tonnes swt) representing 58% of total shipments. While breast and flap exports to Hong Kong climbed to 243 tonnes swt in August 2013, from only three tonnes swt in August 2012, volumes to Vietnam also jumped to 138 tonnes swt from 48 tonnes swt.

 

In contrast, increasing competition mainly from South America, the US and India, is likely to place Australia in a challenging position, evidenced by the slow Australian beef trade during August, according to MLA.

 

Australian beef exports to Taiwan declined by 9%, at 3,337 tonnes swt, Malaysia 33% down, at 1,034 tonnes swt, the Philippines dropped by 16% to 2,232 tonnes swt and Singapore with 788 tonnes swt, down 42%.

 

Total chilled beef exports during August were down 10% on-year, at 1,362 tonnes swt, largely impacted by lower shipments to Taiwan, at 302 tonnes swt, half of last August's total.

 

During August, Australian beef exports to the rest of the region improved – exports to Indonesia were 2,295 tonnes swt (up 110% on-year), Hong Kong was 522 tonnes swt (up 9%), Thailand was 245 tonnes swt (up 91%), and Vietnam was 138 tonnes swt (up 137%).

 

Despite the decrease in the overall monthly exports to the region, higher value loin cuts (cube roll, tenderloin and striploin) rose 43% on-year, to 1,232 tonnes swt.