November 2, 2012

China sees 201% rise for beef imports from Australia

China's beef imports from Australia rises 201% on-year for September 2012, reaching 5,275 tonnes.

Australia was the largest beef supplier to China during September, with total imports lifting 122% on-year, to 1,786 tonnes. Chinese imports of Uruguayan beef rose 132% on-year, to 1,355 tonnes, while volumes from New Zealand increased 319%, to 892 tonnes.

Chinese sheep meat imports during September also increased, totalling 9,369 tonnes - up 69% on-year. Despite a 5% decline in total Chinese sheep meat import volumes during September compared to August, total imports for the first nine months of 2012 were 41% above the corresponding period in 2011, at 88,556 tonnes.

New Zealand was the largest sheep meat supplier to China during September, with a 60% imported market share, at 5,622 tonnes (up 133% on-year). The volume of Australian sheepmeat also increased on-year, up 23% to 3,647 tonnes.