![Aussie beef exports lower in 2009 Aussie beef exports lower in 2009](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/679182.jpg/r0_0_300_225_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
AUSTRALIAN beef and veal exports for the 2009 calendar year totalled 927,277 tonnes (shipped weight) – three per cent below the previous year and 1pc back on the average for the past five years, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty.
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Meat and Livestock Australia reports that contributing to the decline in shipments in 2009 was a contraction in beef production throughout the second half of the year, along with the high dollar and recession conditions in key exports markets.
MLA says the main influencing factor for Australian beef exports in 2009 was the rapid rise of the dollar which, combined with the impact of recession and the fallout from the global financial crisis, restrained returns to Australian exporters from Japan and the US during 2009.
However, on a positive note, South East Asia continued to develop as a significant market for Australian beef, underpinned by a record volume of beef to Indonesia.
Japan maintained its position as Australia’s largest beef export destination in 2009, with shipments for the year back 2pc on 2008, at 356,567t.
The high dollar created very difficult trading conditions for Australian exporters during the second half of 2009, which was further complicated by recession and deflationary conditions in Japan.
Despite Australian shipments to the US increasing 7pc in 2009 to 251,479t, exports remained 16pc below the average for the past five years at 299,125t.
Again, the high dollar impacted shipments to the US in 2009, with product diverted to more lucrative markets, while sluggish US consumer demand and a surge in dairy cow slaughter also impacted demand for Australian beef.
Despite increased competition from the US and a very sluggish start to the year, with exports back 27pc in the first quarter of 2009, Australian beef shipped to Korea exceeded forecasts, totalling 115,481t – down 9pc on the previous year.
Indonesia clearly established itself as Australia’s fourth largest beef export destination in 2009, receiving a record 51,816t – up 57pc on the previous calendar year high of 33,016t.
Like Indonesia, a record volume of beef was also sent to a number of South Asian markets in 2009, including Malaysia (up 30pc, to 8026t), China (up 97pc, to 5286t), Hong Kong (up 132pc, to 7492t), Thailand (up 12pc, to 1595t) and Vietnam (up 31pc, to 1002t).
A 15pc increase for the year was also recorded to Taiwan at 31,288t, while exports to The Philippines jumped 20pc to 16,958t.
Exports to the European Union (9193t) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (14,733t largely to Russia) declined in 2009 from high 2008 levels, while shipments to the Middle East totalled a record 15,752t, an increase of 21pc on the previous year.