October 8, 2007

Australian September beef exports down 8 percent on-month

Australian beef exports in September dropped by 8.2 percent on month to 72,618 tonnes and were down 14 percent on year, due to lower domestic output, subdued demand from major markets and a stronger currency, marketing concern Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd. reported Friday (October 5).

Exports of 26,379 tonnes to major market Japan in September declined by 12 percent on month and down 18 percent on year, in part also reflecting increased competition in this market from US products, it said.

Total exports to Japan in the first nine months of calendar 2007 fell by 3.7 percent on year to 281,428 tonnes, according to figures issued this week by the Department of Agriculture.

Australia is the second biggest global exporter of beef after Brazil in an export trade generating almost A$5 billion (US$4.50 billion) a year.

Shipments to South Korea in September were down 23 percent or 10,365 tonnes on month and down 26 percent on year, it reported.

These took total shipments to that market in the first nine months of this year to 102,073 tonnes, barely changed on year.

Australian beef exports to the US in September totalled 25,078 tonnes, up 2 percent on month but down 4.2 percent on year.

Exports to the US in the first nine months of 2007 rose by 3.7 percent on year to 229,270 tonnes.