Forget selling iron ore to China - Australian and NZ red meat is in demand

Australia’s share of China’s imported red meat (beef and sheepmeat) has increased from 37% in September 2012 to 46% in September 2013.

According to information on Meat and Livestock Australia’s website, China’s beef imports during September were the highest volume on record, at 29,113 tonnes swt - up from 5275 tonnes swt in September last year.

China is importing significantly more beef in particular with volumes exceeding 20,000 tonnes swt for the last seven consecutive months.

Total imports during the year to September have increased 794% year on year and Australia is currently enjoying 55% of the beef market share.

Uruguay was still the second-largest beef supplier to China during September but its monthly volume was down. Over the past year, Uruguay’s market share has dropped from 26 to 23%.

With a huge market share increase, Canada has just edged out New Zealand to be the third-largest supplier into China.

New Zealand does continue to dominate China’s imported sheepmeat market where it supplies 61%. Imports of Australian sheepmeat were up 126% year on year but are still well short of NZ’s levels.

Interestingly, mutton shipments to Greater China in 2013 (January to September) have registered a five-fold increase year on year, to 43,608 tonnes swt - surpassing the Middle East and accounting for 37% of total Australian mutton exports.

Source