Wednesday, 24 February 2021 06:55

Meat exports remain strong in 2020

Written by Staff Reporters

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Analysis from the Meat Industry Association shows high levels of meat exports in 2020.

New Zealand's red meat sector exported $9.2 billion worth of products during 2020 – an increase of 1% on the previous year.

According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), NZ’s overall meat exports during the year reached historically high levels – 7% above 2018 exports ($8.6 billion) and 21% above 2017 ($7.6 billion).

The top 10 markets for New Zealand meat remained unchanged during 2020. China continued to be the major customer, with exports worth $3.3 billion, accounting for 36% of total exports for the year.

While exports to China were down from the record levels of 2019 ($3.7 billion), these were still 40% higher than during 2018 ($2.3 billion).

Exports to Germany and the Netherlands decreased by 8% and 21% respectively, but the value of exports to all other of NZ’s top markets increased.

Sheep meat exports rose by 3%, to just over 400,000 tonnes, with China the top market, followed by the UK and US. Exports to the UK increased 10% by value compared to 2019.

Beef exports rose in both volume and value, to 471,718 tonnes, worth $3.7 billion, with the US the top market, up 42% by value, to $1.4 billion. Beef exports to China dropped by 26%, compared to the record high levels of 2019, as other countries like Brazil increased their access to China. However, this was offset by an increase in exports to other markets.

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