November 8, 2006

Australia's beef exports going strong

Australian beef exports grew 25 percent in September as compared to the same month last year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), citing estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The increase for the month could be attributed to a two-percent increase in the average unit value of exports along with an increase in volume shipped, explained MLA.

Australian beef export values to Japan increased 21 percent, to A$185.7 million (US$142 million), due to an increase in the volumes shipped. Despite the overall increase in value for the month, the average unit value of exports to Japan fell 5 percent to A$5,276 (US$4,059) per tonne. The exports to the US increased by 11 percent to A$105.8 million (US$81.3 million).

Contributing to the overall increase in September beef export earnings was a 17-percent rise in the average unit value of beef exports to South Korea. Total exports to South Korea in September also resulted in a 56-percent jump compared to September 2005 values.

The MLA attributed the rise to the strong demand for Australian beef and lack of supplies from the US.