Strong Beef Demand From Leading Importers

GLOBAL - International demand for beef remained strong in the first few months of 2011 as availability from many of the world’s leading exporters remained lower, accordin to Mark Zieg, Meat Division, Bord Bia.

23 May 2011

2 minute read

In January and February 2011 Russian beef imports grew by 56 per cent to 72,513 tonnes (pw).

While Brazil still had access to the Russian market in the first two months of the year, Brazilian exports to Russia where down two per cent at 21,261 tonnes.

The main beneficiaries of this increased demand were Australia, which increased its trade to Russia from 892 tonnes in the same period in 2010 to 15,328 tonnes this year, Uruguay who increased shipments from 9,109 tonnes to 12,483 tonnes and Paraguay who trebled volumes to 6,319 tonnes.

Germany was the leading exporter from Europe, increasing from 867 tonnes to 2,813 tonnes.

Strong import demand was also maintained by Turkey. While comparative figures are not available for 2010, Turkey registered the following imports for the first three months of 2011.

This leaves total imports since duties were reduced last October at almost 95,000 tonnes.

By comparison beef imports into Europe (EU 27) were weak in the first two months of 2011.

Total imports into the EU fell by 23 per cent to 35,917 tonnes. Shipments from Brazil imports fell by more than 20 per cent while imports from Uruguay were 30 per cent lower.

European imports reflected relatively strong supplies in many of the larger markets earlier in the year, meeting with quiet post Christmas demand.

Strong import demand from other leading international import markets and tighter supplies in South America meant that price levels remained steady.