Australian beef exports increase in October

Australian beef exports for the month of October increased 14% year-on-year, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries.

Trade in October 2010, however, was blighted by rainfall disruptions to cattle movements and processing in Eastern Australia.

The total beef and veal exports for the period was 83,823t, up 2.3% from 81,965t during September 2011.

Exports to Japan totalled 29,750t (up 9%) year-on-year, while shipments to Korea were 12,237t (up 26%).

Beef exports to the US jumped to 12,196t (up 36%); however, this figure is 44% below the average levels recorded over the last five years.

Shipments to the South Asian markets witnessed year-on-year increases, with exports to Indonesia totalling 4,429t (up 8%), Hong Kong 1,473t (up 223%), Malaysia 1,215t (up 22%) and Singapore 1,157t (up 144%).

Exports to China accounted for 1,058t (up 86%), while that of Commonwealth states, particularly Russia, amounted to 4,391t (down 56%).