Thursday, 01 April 2021 14:16

Red meat exports to China back on track

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva. Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.

Red meat exports have returned to pre-Covid status, with China regaining the mantle of the biggest market.

Exports reached $906.7 million during February 2021, the same value as February 2020, according to latest analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

However there were shifts in the destinations for products with exports to China increasing 124% year-on-year, but dropping for most other markets.

“Twelve months ago, we witnessed the early impact of COVID-19 in China and the industry moved decisively to shift New Zealand beef and lamb products to other markets in line with where the demand was,” says MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.

“Ultimately, the February 2021 results show a return to more recent ‘business as usual’ levels of demand with ongoing high volumes to China and steady exports to other markets as we come into the peak of the processing season.”

New Zealand’s overall beef exports of 47,467 tonnes during February 2021 were the highest for the month in more than 20 years. This was partly supply-driven, with high numbers of steer and heifer sent for processing in later January and early February, coupled with demand from China.

The overall volume of sheepmeat exports also increased by 10%, with the 28,080 tonnes sent to China the highest monthly export to that market. China remained the biggest market for sheepmeat, followed by the UK and US. Volumes of sheepmeat exports to the US rose by 8% to 2,959 tonnes.

“It is also encouraging to see signs of an increase in food service sector demand in the United States, particularly for frozen racks,” says Karapeeva.

 “That can be attributed to the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme there.”

Exports to Australia increased by 6% to a value of $16.7m. While the majority of New Zealand meat exports to Australia are co-products, beef exports rose by 172% compared to February 2020, to 508 tonnes. This was largely due to Australia currently undergoing a major herd rebuilding phase with significantly reduced cattle processing.

The MIA is closely monitoring the supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an area of growing concern with port-related issues both at home and overseas and many of our members are seeing shipping delays and increased costs,” notes Karapeeva.

More like this

An annual event?

Meat Industry Association chief executive, Sirma Karapeeva, says she hopes that National Lamb Day will now take place every year.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

Funding boost for red meat

Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).

Otago's supreme winner

Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.

Editorial: Wake up Wellington

OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Machinery & Products

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Cut with care

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Bubble burst!

OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter