Australian beef and veal exports during November were steady year-on-year at 90,042 tonnes swt (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – DAFF), with declines to Japan and somewhat surprisingly the US, supported by significant increases to Korea, Canada and China.
Total exports for the first eleven months of the year improved 1%, compared to the corresponding period last year, at 877,549 tonnes swt shipped, with a weaker overall performance in North Asia offset by larger shipments to North America and China.
Australian beef exports to Japan continue to be challenged by the strong A$, increased US competition and weak consumer demand, with November exports down 17% year-on-year to 27,843 tonnes swt.
Exports for the eleven months to November are back 6% year-on-year, underpinned by sluggish demand for higher valued chilled and grainfed cuts.
Exports to Korea during November surged 21% year-on-year, to 15,217 tonnes swt, assisted by continued uncertainty in US supplies.
However, despite the rise in November, total shipments for January to November were back 16% year-on-year, to 112,102 tonnes swt.
Interestingly, despite ongoing tight North American beef supplies and near-record high imported beef prices, Australian exports to the US during November declined 20% year-on-year, to 13,290 tonnes swt.
However, January to November exports remain well above year ago volumes, totalling 202,211 tonnes swt - up 33% on the same period last year.
November beef exports to Canada (2,285 tonnes swt) were 81% higher year-on-year and pushed the total export volume, with one month remaining in the year, to 14,168 tonnes swt - 61% greater than the corresponding period last year.
Export volumes to China have now increased for seven consecutive months, with the 7,955 tonnes swt exported in November surpassing last month’s record.
Total beef exports to China (25,224 tonnes swt) for the first eleven months of 2012 are 254% above year-ago levels.
Exports during November to Singapore (1,288 tonnes swt), the Middle East (3,057 tonnes swt) and the European Union (1,522 tonnes swt) improved 8%, 4%, and 32% respectively, year-on-year.
Shipments to Taiwan (3,832 tonnes swt) were steady on last year’s level, while exports to Indonesia (3,558 tonnes swt) and Hong Kong (604 tonnes swt) were down 9% and 62% respectively, year-on-year.
