November 1, 2007

Australia's September beef output up 4.6 percent

Beef production in Australia, a major global exporter, rose by 4.6 percent on-month in September to a seasonally-adjusted 178,796 tonnes, barely changed on-year, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday (November 1, 2007).

The total number of cattle slaughtered, excluding calves, in September was 675,000 beasts, up 5.6 percent on month and up 3.3 percent on year, it reported.

Australia exports about two-thirds of its beef production, with about 90 percent destined for Japan, the US and South Korea and with the overall level of exports closely tied to production.

                                                 AUSTRALIAN MEAT PRODUCTION

                                    (seasonally-adjusted metric tonnes, carcass weight)