Thursday, 17 June 2021 08:55

Red meat sector exports steady in April

Written by  Staff Reporters
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva. Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.

New Zealand red meat exports remained steady in April with a total of $863 million worth of meat and co-products exported to global markets.

According to analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA), the overall April export figures show an increase on April 2020 levels.

"We are seeing healthy signs that trade is returning to more regular pre-COVID 19 patterns alongside the ongoing strong demand from China as African Swine Fever drives a growing demand for protein such as beef and lamb," says MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.

There were significant increases in the value of exports of chilled meat in April 2021 compared to April 2020, with sheepmeat up 20% to $65 million and beef up 48% to $45 million.

"These levels are similar to the pre-COVID-19 levels of April 2019, indicating that some of the pandemic-related disruptions that saw a reasonably large drop in chilled exports in April 2020 are starting to resolve," Karapeeva adds.

However, while meat exports were steady compared to a year ago, the current supply chain disruptions continue to put significant strain on all exporters, including the meat industry.

"Along with irregular shipping services and unreliable timetables, there's pressure on cold storage facilities and container parks. All of this means costs are rising at every stage of the supply chain.

"These issues have been raised with the Government by the Council of Cargo Owners, which represents the interests of New Zealand exporters and importers and we're seeking discussions around an urgent solution."

More like this

Editorial: NZ's great China move

OPINION: The New Zealand red meat sector, with support from the Government, has upped the ante to retain and expand its niche in the valuable Chinese market - and the signs are looking positive.

Red meat's China push

The red meat sector is launching a new campaign to lure Chinese consumers to New Zealand grass-fed beef and lamb.

Primary sector chuffed

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy says his organisation welcomes the new trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting the UAE is the second largest market for the red meat sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council after Saudi Arabia.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

Winter grazing warning

Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.

ANZ defends farm lending rates

The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.

Machinery & Products

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo…

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Review SOEs!

OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…

Bank reset

OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter