December 7, 2012
Australia's meat exports to China at record volumes in November
Australian meat exports to China have reached new records in November, with beef and veal shipments to China reaching a record 7,955 tonnes, up 6% on the previous month and up 729% on-year.
Underpinning the increase in beef shipments to China was stronger demand for brisket during November, rising to 1,772 tonnes. With briskets a popular cut for winter dishes in China, such as slow cooked stew and hot pot, higher seasonal demand combined with reportedly tight supplies and rising prices of domestically produced beef assisted to increase brisket exports to China during November.
Shin/shank and manufacturing beef shipments also increased during November, to 1,390 tonnes (up 704% on-year) and 1,250 tonnes (up 236% on-year), respectively. The majority of product shipped to China during November was frozen grassfed beef - accounting for 88% of the total shipments during the month (6,973 tonnesswt).
Lamb shipments to China during November lifted 61% on-year, to a record 3,301 tonnes, with the total shipments for the first eleven months of 2012 rising to 26,641 tonnes, up 37% compared to the corresponding period of last year (19,442 tonnes). Mutton exports during November also rose, surging 302% on-year, to 3,053 tonnes. Total mutton exports for the first eleven months reached 11,916 tonnes, increasing 167% on the same period last year.
Demand for sheepmeat breast & flap and manufacturing meat continued to be strong during November, with export volumes increasing to 3,120 tonnes (up 50% on-year) and 721 tonnes (up 53% on-year), respectively. Shipments of lamb shoulder during November jumped to 724 tonnes, up from only 32 tonnes in November 2011.
