The majority of the increase in Australia’s beef and veal exports for the year was to Korea. Shipments to Korea jumped 41% on the previous record set in 2005, to 149,663 tonnes swt, as strong demand for Australian product continued, assisted by the ongoing absence of US product. Grassfed beef exports were up 31% to 108,000 tonnes, while grainfed beef exports were up 75% to 41,200 tonnes. In contrast, beef exports to Japan during 2006 increased only slightly on 2005 levels, to a record 405,796 tonnes.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) emerged as a growing market for Australian beef shipments in 2006, receiving 12,512 tonnes swt – a jump from the 510 tonnes exported in 2005 and the highest level since 1998. Limited beef supplies from the EU and South America have been unable to fill the growing demand for beef in this market.

Exports to Indonesia and South Africa have also risen notably, with shipments to Indonesia up 39% to 12,153 tonnes swt. Exports to South Africa increased to 3,143 tonnes, up from 139 tonnes in 2005.

Partially offsetting these gains was a fall in Australian beef exports to the US, with shipments for the year declining 8%, to 295,267 tonnes swt.

TheCattleSite News Desk