NZ Red Meat Exports Hit $867m in August, Up 23%
New Zealand's red meat and fifth-quarter exports reached $867 million in August, up 23% on the same month last year, as stronger returns lifted earnings across all major markets.
"With one month to go in the 2014/15 beef export season, beef exports are at a new high of $3 billion," says international statistics senior manager, Jason Attewell.
"So far this season, 404,000 tonnes of beef have been exported, and if we export at least 18,000 tonnes next month we'll surpass the peak 2003/04 season for quantity exported."
The US remains our top beef export destination this season, for both value and quantity.
Beef export values to the US have hit a record high of $1.6 billion (up 64%) for the season to date, with quantities up 21% compared with this time last year.
Beef export values to China continued to increase, up 88% for the season to date, to $394 million, with quantities up 52% compared with this time last year. "International shortages, rising production, and a falling New Zealand dollar have contributed to this record beef season." says Attewell.
