November 19, 2007

Australia's October beef exports:  Japan, biggest buyer; South Korean demand surges

Australian beef exports posted a 19.3 percent on-month increase in October or 86,607 tonnes of beef and veal but were 4.5 percent less in October 2006, figures from Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) show.

Specifically, frozen beef exports equalled 61,603 tonnes, which accounted for 71.1 percent of the total. Fresh, chilled beef exports were pegged at 25,004 tonnes.

Australia's beef exports to Japan during October rose 23.7 percent over September to 33,065 tonnes but down 10.7 percent from October 2006.

Total year-to-date beef exports to Japan were 314,494 tonnes, 4.5 percent below a year ago. The Asian country was Australia's largest beef export market, accounting for 40.3 percent of the total. Shipments to the US totalled 27,212 tonnes, up 8.5 percent from the previous month but down 3.4 percent from October 2006. Year-to-date beef exports to the US were 2.9 percent higher than a year ago, amounting to 256,481 tonnes.

Australia's beef exports to South Korea totalled 13,293 tonnes, which was up 28.2 percent over the previous month but was down 5.9 percent from October 2006. The monthly surge was due to South Korea's re-ban on US beef. Year-to-date beef exports to South Korea totalled 115,367 tonnes, slightly less than a year ago. Overall, Australia's total year-to-date beef and veal exports equalled 780,609 tonnes, nearly unchanged from the same period a year ago.