3 June 2013

2 minute read

Meat and Livestock Australia said that frozen beef imports fell by 20 per cent, to 4,111 tonnes, with a seven per cent decrease in chilled beef volume, at 1,049 tonnes.

Australia remained the largest supplier to Singapore during the first quarter of 2013, with the volume totalling 2,232 tonnes - down 25 per cent on the first quarter of 2012, but six per cent higher than the five-year average.

Chilled beef imports from Australia were 16 per cent lower than the March quarter of 2012, at 597 tonnes , while frozen beef volumes were down 28 per cent, to 1,635 tonnes.

Imports from South American countries during the March quarter of 2013 rose by 38 per cent, to 1,574 tonnes, assisted by increased supplies from Brazil (up 91 per cent, to 1,335 tonnes) and Paraguay at 108 tonnes.

While total beef imports from NZ during the first quarter of 2013 were down 37 per cent, at 1,059 tonnes, the volume of NZ chilled beef imports improved by 11 per cent, totalling 334 tonnes.

MLA said that Thai imports totalled 4,467 tonnes of beef during the first quarter of 2013, falling 32 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2012 according to Global Trade Atlas, Thai Customs Department.

While the majority was frozen product (90 per cent of total imports, at 4,017 tonnes), Thailand imported more chilled product during the quarter, rising 20 per cent to 451 tonnes - assisted by strong demand for Australian chilled beef (up by 11 per cent, to 401 tonnes).

The increased intake of Australian chilled beef contributed to the total quarterly imports of Australian beef lifting 30 per cent, to 1,300 tonnes.

Though the quarterly imports of Indian beef during the first quarter of 2013 were down substantially (down 52 per cent on the first quarter of 2012, at 2,523 tonnes), India still accounted for more than half (56 per cent) of total quarterly import volume.

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