NZ Exports Record Volume of Beef in May
NEW ZEALAND - More than 21,500 tonnes of beef worth $155.7 million was dispatched to China in May as beef exports to the country continue to grow strongly.China remains the largest market by value for red meat and co-products with $329.4m exported to the country followed by the US and Japan.
New Zealand exported more than $912 million of red meat and co-products to global markets in the month of May, according to New Zealand's Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Tim Ritchie, chief executive of MIA, says the growth in beef exports in China continued the rising demand for protein in the country over recent years.
"The outbreak of African Swine Fever has also impacted pork production and led to a surge in demand for other protein such as beef," he said.
The weaker UK market reflected uncertainty over Brexit and exporters mitigating risk associated with market disruption that would occur with a hard Brexit, especially as 29 March fell in the lead up to the critical Easter sales period, he said.
Mr Ritchie said: "Overall, these figures not only represent good news for the New Zealand economy, but also regional New Zealand.
"The sector is critical to the prosperity and wealth of the country’s economy, the second largest goods exporter and New Zealand’s largest manufacturing industry.
"We directly employees some 25,000 people, mainly in regional New Zealand, supporting the livelihoods of families and rural communities."
TheCattleSite News Desk