Friday, 03 September 2021 13:55

Red meat and co-products exports reach $870 million

Written by  Staff Reporters
New Zealand exported red meat and co-products reached $870 million in July. New Zealand exported red meat and co-products reached $870 million in July.

New Zealand exported red meat and co-products worth $870 million during July 2021 – marking a 29% increase year-on-year, according to analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

More than 25,300 tonnes of sheepmeat and almost 50,000 tonnes of beef were exported with increases in the value of exports to all major North American and Asian markets.

This included a 1,425% increase in beef exports to Thailand compared to July 2020. Thailand was New Zealand’s tenth largest market for beef by volume during the month, at 347 tonnes.

MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the main reason for the growth in exports to Thailand was the removal of beef safeguards that were put in place when the NZ-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) was negotiated 15 years ago.

“That came off at the end of last year and beef exports are now tariff-free. So, instead of a rush of beef exports to Thailand at the start of each year to try and take advantage of the small tariff-free safeguard volume, we are now seeing companies put regular export programmes in place. Beef exports to Thailand have been growing steadily throughout the year,” Karapeeva says.

“High quality Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are critical to market diversification. This really demonstrates the importance of FTAs to facilitate open markets that help companies to invest in markets and develop strong commercial relationships.”

China remained the largest market, with total exports worth $330.2m, a 57 per cent increase on the same period last year.

The US was the second highest with $241.2m, a 32 per cent increase, followed by Japan, up 62 per cent at $42.6m, and Taiwan with $26.8m, representing an 18 per cent increase.

July also saw a continuing trend in recent months of strong sheep meat exports into the United States, which increased 109 per cent year-on-year to $42m, and beef exports into China, up 95 per cent to $156m. Beef exports to most major beef markets also increased.

While exports to main European destinations were down compared to July 2020, this was more than compensated for by the increased demand from other markets. The UK dropped 25 per cent to $19m, Germany by 28 per cent to $17m and the Netherlands by 11 per cent to $17m.

More like this

Featured

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter