Beef Exports To Russia Fall 85%

IRELAND - Ireland's €35 million beef export trade with Russia has been decimated in the past four months, meat processors claimed yesterday.
calendar icon 24 April 2007
clock icon 1 minute read
Meat Industry Ireland (MII) said year-to-date Irish exporters have contracted for only 1,200 tonnes of beef compared to over 8,000 tonnes in spring of 2006.

MII spokesman Cormac Healy said this represents an 85% reduction in trade which has impacted market options open to processors, particularly for heavy cattle.

“The key reason for the drop in trade to Russia is the 50% reduction in export refund values imposed by the European Commission over the last two years,” he said.

Mr Healy said this highlights the importance of ensuring maximum market access opportunities for beef.
“There is a clear need for a review of the export refund regime at EU level.

“A more targeted approach on export refunds could facilitate meaningful access for certain products to particular markets while still remaining within budget provisions,” he said.

Mr Healy said another factor affecting the difficult market in the beef sector is the major increase in cow slaughtering in Britain which dampened demand for manufacturing beef.

Year-on-year, British cow beef production coming onto the market has increased by 120%, or 68,000 head.

Despite these factors, which negatively impacted trade this spring, Irish cattle prices year-to-date are still about 1% up on last year, in contrast to much of Europe.

Source: IrishExaminer.com
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