January 8, 2004

 

 

Australian November Beef Output Up 9.5%

 

Beef production in Australia jumped 9.5% in November to a seasonally adjusted 173,811 metric tons from 158,777 tons in October, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday.

 

Beef output in November was down 4.5% from 182,009 tons in November 2002.

 

Australia exports about two-thirds of its beef production, mostly to the U.S. and Japan.

 

The bureau reported the total number of cattle slaughtered, excluding calves, rose to 678,700 beasts in November from 626,400 in October but was down from 748,300 in November 2002.

 

The bureau said a trend estimate for cattle slaughterings rose in November for the third month in a row, partly reflecting a response among producers to warm and dry conditions in northeast Australia.

 

A trend estimate of data further smoothes seasonally adjusted figures.

 

Australian beef production rose sharply in 2002 as cattle producers sold their beasts in the face of a savage drought that withered pastures.

 

With the breaking of the drought in parts of eastern Australia in 2003, many producers are now holding beasts on properties to take advantage of rejuvenated pastures.

 

               AUSTRALIAN MEAT PRODUCTION

  (seasonally adjusted data, metric tons, carcass weight)

 

                       Nov. 2003       Oct. 2003        Nov. 2002

 

 Beef                 173,811          158,777          182,009

 Veal                    3,976              3,019             1,716

 Mutton               18,393            17,498            24,867

 Lamb                 29,444            27,844           28,524

 Pigmeat             33,976            34,256            33,591

 

 (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)