May 17, 2006

Australian beef explores new market in South Africa

Australian beef is starting to fill meat demand in Africa, a market virtually vacated by Brazil and Argentina due to bans imposed on the two countries.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) reported that exports of Australian beef during April came to 332 tonnes during the first quarter.

Compared to the 21,834 tonnes of beef and 7,335 tonnes of beef offal imported almost exclusively from Brazil and Argentina in 2005, this amount seemed trivial.

Most of these imports were sent for processing in South Africa, according to MLA.

A large backlog from Brazil and Argentina and high prices for Australian beef slowed demand in the first quarter, MLA said.