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Higher NZ beef production underpins rise in exports
27 August 2015
New Zealand (NZ) beef production has reached 560,751 tonnes carcase weight (cwt) for the 2014-15 season-to-date (October 2014 to June 2015) – 7% higher than the previous year (Statistics New Zealand).
NZ adult cattle slaughter over the same period was up 9% year-on-year, at 2.3 million head. The rise is attributed to the fall in the dairy payout and the subsequent number of dairy cows and heifers culled, as well as drought conditions (Beef + Lamb New Zealand).
In line with the higher volumes of beef produced, NZ beef exports have increased 9% over the October to June period, to 348,390 tonnes shipped weight (swt).
- Exports to the US were 23% higher, at 193,198 tonnes swt, with the strong demand due to low domestic supplies
- Shipments to China registered 42% year-on-year growth, at 45,390 tonnes swt, while volumes to Taiwan eased 3%, to 16,952 tonnes swt
- Volumes to South East Asia were back 31% on the previous year, at 19,507 tonnes swt
- Exports to Japan fell 23%, to 15,294 tonnes swt
Beef + Lamb New Zealand forecast 2014-15 beef exports to reach 395,000 tonnes swt – up 1% year-on-year.
