Australian beef and veal exports rose 8% in July compared with July 2009 with demand continuing to show gradual improvement.

July exports totalled 89,623 tonnes, the highest monthly total since October 2008, according to the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (DAFF). For the first seven months of 2010, exports were down 4% year-on-year to 525,719 tonnes.

July exports to Japan fell 2% year-on-year to 32,334 tonnes, although this was still the highest monthly total since March (39,283 tonnes). Beef exports to Japan for the first seven months of 2010 fell 3% to 204 370 tonnes.

Although still at a historically low level, exports to the US for July rose 2% over the previous year to 20,699 tonnes. Currency effects and strong competition from other countries were issues here.

Shipments to Korea were again large, reaching 11,948 tonnes. This takes year-to-date exports to more than 70,000 tonnes, up 16% compared with the corresponding period in 2009.

Exports to Russia and Indonesia were higher at 4,618 tonnes and 5,201 tonnes, respectively. For Russia, a reduction in imports from South America, most notably from Argentina, has helped drive demand for Australian beef, with exports in the first seven months of the year up 138% to 19,732 tonnes.

Demand from Southeast Asia also remained high in July, with increases in exports to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Exports to the Middle East exceeded 2,000 tonnes for the second consecutive month, with total shipments in 2010 up 56% over the previous year at 11,597 tonnes.