February 7, 2006

New Zealand beef exports fall in 2005

New Zealand beef exports fell 4 percent in 2005, with 397,400 tonnes exported for the year.

New Zealand's two largest markets, the US and Korea registered the largest falls. Beef exports to the US decreased by 4 percent from the previous year, to 201,000 tonnes. This was only 88.6 of the allowable beef quota. Exports to Korea fell 12 percent to 44,000 tonnes.

On a positive note, beef shipments to Japan increased by 11 percent over 2004, reaching some 38,600 tonnes. This was because New Zealand exporters increased their shipments in the absence of US product in the Japanese market.

Similarly, exports to Mexico jumped 14 percent to 6,600 tonnes. This was because there was reduced domestic Mexican meat production.