26 October 2012

1 minute read

Asia

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

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

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

Hong Kong’s beef imports during August increased 58 per cent year-on-year, to 14,414 tonnes swt (Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department). Despite increased demand for Australian chilled beef in August (up eight per cent year-on-year, to 204 tonnes swt), total imports of Australian beef contracted 40 per cent, to 447 tonnes swt – impacted by competition from Brazil (up 67 per cent year-on-year, to 6,056 tonnes swt,), the US (up 104 per cent year-on-year, to 5,054 tonnes swt) and Canada (up 73 per cent year-on-year, to 1,491 tonnes swt).

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