New Zealand (NZ) beef exports during 2011-12 fell 3% year-on-year, to 331,820 tonnes swt (Beef + Lamb NZ).
This is the lowest fiscal year export volume of NZ beef since 2001-02 and sits 7% below the five year average.
Underpinning the decline was a drop in exports to most major destinations, with decreases recorded to South East Asia (down 2%, to 38,901 tonnes swt), Japan (down 4%, to 30,020 tonnes swt) and Korea (down 18%, to 27,138 tonnes swt).
The impact of these declines in 2011-12 was softened by an increase in shipments to the US (up 5%, to 155,669 tonnes swt), Hong Kong (up 22%, to 5,690 tonnes swt) and China (up 107%, to 4,341 tonnes swt).
While the expansion of the NZ dairy industry has reportedly slowed across most regions compared with previous years, it is still placing pressure upon several key beef production regions in the South Island - further restricting beef production and volumes available for export.
Source: MLA.com
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