Australia exported 14,612 tonnes (t) swt of beef, lamb, veal and mutton to South Asian countries excluding China in August – a 14% year-on-year increase. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) said this was driven by a 120% increase in sheepmeat exports to the region, which reached 4,022t swt. Beef exports to the region declined 3% to 10,590t swt.
Within sheepmeat exports, mutton exports saw the biggest growth of 228% year-on-year to 2,633t swt, while lamb exports were up 35% to 1,389t swt. Malaysia and Singapore were the biggest markets for Australian sheepmeat, increasing shipments by 178% and 25% year-on-year respectively.
Most of the mutton shipped was carcases and manufacturing meat, while breast, flap and shoulder cuts accounted for 58% of total lamb shipments. Hong Kong saw particular growth in terms of breast and flap exports, which were up to 243t swt from 3t swt in August 2012.
MLA said that beef exports to the region had suffered from increasing competition from South America, the US and India. Singapore and Malaysia saw the biggest losses, reducing shipments of Australian beef by 42% and 33% respectively. Exports to Taiwan and the Philippines also decreased.
However some countries in the region did increased shipments – most notably Indonesia, which imported 2,295t swt of Australian beef in August, a 110% year-on-year increase. Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam also imported more Australian beef.
MLA also said that South Asian countries imported higher-value beef, with shipments of loin cuts up 42% year-on-year to 1,232t swt.