Wednesday, 21 October 2020 10:09

Meat quota rates remain vital

Written by  David Anderson
NZ’s sheepmeat exports rose 12% by volume and 5% by value in August. NZ’s sheepmeat exports rose 12% by volume and 5% by value in August.

A jump in the value and volume of New Zealand’s sheepmeat exports to Europe and the UK shows why preserving WTO tariff-rate quotas is so important, claims the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Its analysis shows that NZ’s sheepmeat exports rose 12% by volume and 5% by value in August – compared to a year ago, 

Chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the growth in sheepmeat exports to the UK and Europe highlights why the European Union (EU) and UK must not be allowed to split New Zealand’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) country-specific tariff rate quotas following Brexit. 

“Trade patterns are continuously changing. The red meat sector’s ability to maintain steady overall export volumes and value during these difficult times underlines the importance of flexibility and responding to constantly evolving market dynamics,” she explains. 

“It also illustrates the difficulty of predicting future trends based on historical trade data. We remain deeply concerned about the proposal for the EU and UK to split the WTO tariff rate quotas, which would reduce that flexibility and disadvantage New Zealand.”

Karapeeva adds that a fall in sheepmeat exports to China (-13% by value) was offset by the significant increase in demand from the UK and Europe – despite the uncertainty of the fast-approaching Brexit.

MIA figures show that a total of 2,044 tonnes of sheepmeat was exported to the UK in August 2020, a 43% increase on August 2019. Exports to the Netherlands rose by 80% and to Germany by 30%. France and Belgium also saw increases. 

Meanwhile, New Zealand exported 9,940 tonnes of beef to the US during August 2020, the highest volume for the month since 2016. This represented an 85% increase on the same period in 2019. This was worth $80 million, the highest August value for beef exports to the US since 2015. 

This increased demand from the US offset a reduction in beef exports to China. 

“Overall, beef exports were largely unchanged compared to last August,” Karapeeva says. “Volumes increased by 1% and value reduced by 3%.” 

She adds that this result is very positive given the challenging global environment.

“Beef exports to China still remain higher than most previous August months. The drop reflects the exceptionally high Chinese demand for protein this time last year – due to African Swine Fever. 

“Brazil has also increased its beef exports to China as it benefits from the drop in value of the Brazilian real against the US dollar.” 

NZ beef volumes exported to Canada, Taiwan, Korea, Australia and Saudi Arabia also lifted year-on-year. This included a 209% increase to Canada, with 1,993 tonnes and 73% increase to Taiwan at 1,507 tonnes. 

The value of all of NZ’s red meat and co-products exported during August held steady compared to the same period last year – at $516.7 million. China still remains our largest red meat market – with total exports of $151.7 million.

More like this

2024 red meat exports end on a high

New Zealand's red meat exports for 2024 finished on a positive note, with total export value increasing 17% over last December to reach $1.04 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Farmer fury

OPINION: The new Labour Government in the UK is facing the wrath of farmers. Last week thousands of farmers and their supporters converged in London protesting changes to inheritance tax for farmers announced in the Budget.

Featured

Let the games begin!

New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.

The future of beef breeding

Progeny testing at Pāmu’s Kepler farm in Southland as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Informing New Zealand Beef programme is showing that the benefits of hybrid vigour could have a massive impact on the future of beef breeding.

Editorial: GMO furore

OPINION: Submissions on the Government's contentious Gene Technology Bill have closed.

Chilled cow cuts enter China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports into China following approval of its Levin and Mataura plants to supply that market. With its first load of beef from Levin clearing Chinese customs in early January and a shipment from Mataura recently arriving in China, journalist Leo Argent talked to Alliance general manager safety and processing Wayne Shaw.

National

New CEO for Safer Farms

Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief…

Machinery & Products

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sacrificed?

OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter