Australia well ahead on China’s red meat imports

By Carina Perkins

- Last updated on GMT

Australia red meat is dominating the Chinese import market
Australia red meat is dominating the Chinese import market

Related tags Meat China Beef Lamb Livestock

Australian shipments now account for nearly half of China’s red meat imports, which hit their second-highest volume on record in September.

According to Customs data highlighted by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), China imported 52,620 tonnes (t) cwt in September 2013. Australian red meat accounted for 46% of the total at 24,106t swt, up from 37% in September 2012.

China’s beef exports were particularly strong during the month, reaching a record 29,113t swt and bringing the country’s total beef imports for the year so far to 209,385 tonnes swt, a massive 794% year-on-year increase.

Australian beef shipments to China were up 12% year-on-year and accounted for 55% of the total.

Uruguay remains China’s second-biggest beef supplier, but monthly shipments were down 11% compared to August and MLA analysts said the country’s market share slipped 3% year-on-year to 26%. Canada increased exports of beef to China by 427% year-on-year in September, making it the third-largest supplier of beef to the country.

New Zealand continues to dominate China’s sheepmeat imports, accounting for 61% of China’s total imports in September. Australian sheepmeat shipments to China were up 126% year-on-year for the month.

MLA analysts added that Chinese retail prices for boneless beef and bone-in sheepmeat hit an all-time high in September, and should continue to climb.

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