Beef Imports Rise In 2010-11
RUSSIA - Russian beef imports for 2010-11 increased five per cent on the previous year, assisted by a surge in imports from Europe, reports Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
23 August 2011
1 minute read
MLA states that imports from the European region for 2010-11 were up 324 per cent year-on-year, totalling 101,762 tonnes swt.
The rise was largely driven by higher shipments from Germany (up 263 per cent, to 29,541 tonnes swt), Lithuania (up 98 per cent, to 13,749 tonnes swt), Italy (up 304, to 13,185 tonnes swt), Poland (up 502 per cent, to 10,893 tonnes swt) and Ireland (up 1,349 per cent to 9,965 tonnes swt).
Similarly, imports of US product rose 52 per cent on the previous year, to 22,134 tonnes swt.
MLA states that a weak euro and US$ against the Russian rouble partly contributed to the rise in imports, in contrast to stronger currencies and higher beef prices from South America.
Although Brazil continued to be Russia's main beef supplier, shipments fell six per cent year-on-year, to 287,262 tonnes swt. Meanwhile, imports from Uruguay were down 12 per cent, to 77,583 tonnes swt, whilst shipments from Argentina slumped 82 per cent, to 20,927 tonnes swt.
Despite a very strong A$ throughout the year, Australia took advantage of the reduced shipments of South American product, with Russian imports of Australian beef increasing 281 per cent year-on-year, to 68,199 tonnes swt.
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