China Takes More Low-Priced Beef
CHINA- Beef imports into China during January to March jumped 92 per cent compared with the same period last year, to 3,644 tonnes. Shipments from most suppliers (New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay) rose during this period; in contrast, imports from Australia registered a lower volume on a year ago.
Low supply from Australia, particularly during January and February, as wet weather reduced production, lowered available supply for China during the March quarter.
Acording to Meat and Livestock Australia, total imports of Australian beef into China fell four per cent during the period (to 1,085 tonnes), with a 50 per cent drop in chilled volumes, despite a one per cent increase in frozen beef.
During the first three months of 2010, China sourced more beef from other suppliers, including a 317 per cent rise in volumes from Uruguay (1,508 tonnes) and a 130 per cent jump in New Zealand product (927 tonnes). Imports of Brazilian beef also increased from zero during January to March last year to 124 tonnes this year.
TheCattleSite News Desk