July 9, 2010

 

Australia posts record beef exports to Asia in 2009-10

Australian beef exports to South-east Asia and China jumped 20% in 2009-10 on the previous year to 131,216 tonnes swt, despite the high Australian currency and subdued supply towards the end of 2009-10 curbing shipments from Australia.

 

Interestingly, demand for quality beef in South-east Asia and China seemed unaffected by the global financial crisis, with both chilled shipments and grainfed beef exports in 2009-10 reaching new records to 13,978 tonnes swt and 9,463 tonnes swt, respectively.

 

Assisted by strong demand and available supply over the first half of 2009-10, exports reached new records to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia and seven-year highs to Taiwan and Philippines, except for slight decreases in shipments to Singapore and Vietnam.

 

Driving the increase in exports to the region 2009-10 was record shipments of most popular beef cuts, including manufacturing beef (37% of the total shipments), shin shank (17%), blade (8%), knuckle (7%), neck (6%), silverside (4%) and striploin (3%). Intercostal shipments bounced to a six-year high (3% of the total exports), resulting from increased demand from Taiwan.

 

Despite the record shipments to South-east Asia and China, total exports to the region over the latter half of 2009-10 were steady. The stable trade resulted from a combination of decreased enquiries for Australian beef from Indonesia, Singapore and China and increased shipments following improved economic in Philippines and better market access in Malaysia.