NZ Beef Exports Lower In 2011
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand (NZ) beef exports in 2011 were down nine per cent year-on-year, at 330,999 tonnes swt, the lowest calendar year total since 2002 (NZ Meat Board). This drop was largely driven by an estimated six per cent dip in production and the strength and volatility of the NZ$ throughout the year.According to Meat and Livestock Australia, this drop was largely driven by an estimated six per cent dip in production and the strength and volatility of the NZ$ throughout the year. This drop was largely driven by an estimated six per cent dip in production and the strength and volatility of the NZ$ throughout the year.
Despite falling five per cent year-on-year, the US remains the largest export destination for NZ beef, reaching 148,963 tonnes swt to capture 45 per cent of the market share. Most of this beef is bull and cow manufacturing beef for grinding. Exports to South East Asia (37,268 tonnes swt) and Japan (29,194 tonnes swt) also fell by 29 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. Indonesian permit issues and the natural disasters in Japan were important factors in these areas. Beef shipments to Korea increased three per cent to reach 33,526 tonnes swt in 2011.
NZ beef exports for the month of December were down 46 per cent year-on-year, sitting at 18,500 tonnes swt. Demand is expected to increase in January as a result of strong promotional activity in the US in the lead up to the Super Bowl in early February (NZX Agrifax).
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