Australian beef exports fall 12%
Reports indicate that Australian beef and veal exports fell 12% year-on-year in May to 82,856 tonnes compared with 93,333 tonnes in May 2008. Factors contributing to the decline were the global economic slowdown and the appreciation of the Australian dollar.
Exports to Japan fell 2% in May to 33,998 tonnes, as strong demand for beef was offset by lower purchases of frozen meat. Exports to Korea showed a sharp decline, falling 24% to 7.954 tonnes. Some commentators have linked this to ongoing difficulties surrounding beef exports to Korea (see leatherbiz 25.11.08).
However, this was partially offset by a rise in Australian beef shipments to the US, which rose 38% in May.
Markets that showed significant growth during the first five months of 2009 compared with the prior-year period include Hong Kong (+131%) and China (+121%), with exports reaching 3,011 tonnes and 2,054 tonnes, respectively. Exports for 2009 to date have also increased for Indonesia (+33%), Taiwan (+25%) and Canada (+140%).
