October 26, 2012

China's beef imports rise 125% on-year, to 4,912 tonnes for August 2012.

Uruguay was the largest beef supplier to China during August, with total imports increasing 47% on-year, to 1,542 tonnes. Imports of Australian beef were also strong, rising 117% on-year, to 1,169 tonnes.

Chinese imports of Australian beef for the first eight months in 2012 increased 30% on-year, to 5,322 tonnes. While chilled beef still makes up a very small proportion of imports, Australian volumes during August lifted 94% on-year, to 77 tonnes, while frozen imports lifted 123%, to 1,092 tonnes.

On the back of the record high, Australian beef exports to China during September, at 4,060 tonnes (DAFF), Chinese import volumes are anticipated to rise in coming months.

Hong Kong's beef imports during August increased 58% on-year, to 14,414 tonnes. Despite increased demand for Australian chilled beef in August (up 8% on-year, to 204 tonnes), total imports of Australian beef contracted 40%, to 447 tonnes - impacted by competition from Brazil (up 67% on-year, to 6,056 tonnes), the US (up 104% on-year, to 5,054 tonnes) and Canada (up 73% on-year, to 1,491 tonnes).