New Zealand’s red meat sector saw a strong start to the year, with export values in January increasing 28 per cent year-on-year to NZD 927 million, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
New Zealand has been a complementary trading partner, an important source of lean beef mixed with US domestic grain-fed beef to produce burger patties. It has also become a vital sheep meat market for high-value premium cuts.
The US led the way, with exports increasing 64 percent year-on-year, followed by China (up 10 percent), the UK (up 58 percent), and Canada (up 89 percent).
“The sector experienced solid demand across all major markets, contributing to a significant uplift in export value,” said MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.
“This reflects both the ongoing recovery in global demand and the ability of New Zealand’s red meat sector to adapt to shifting market dynamics.
The US was the largest market for the month, accounting for NZD 277 million in exports, just ahead of China, which had NZD 276 million. It has been a strategically important market for beef exports and a growing high-value market for lamb exports.
The UK contributed NZD 60 million, Canada NZD 41 million, and the Netherlands NZD 33 million, which increased by nine percent.
Sheepmeat
Sheepmeat export volumes remained steady at 35,220 tonnes compared to last January. Increased shipments to China, the UK and Malaysia offset declining EU and US exports.
Despite stable volumes, sheep meat exports rose 22 percent to NZD 359 million, primarily driven by a 44 percent increase in exports to China and a 53 percent increase to the UK.
Canada and Malaysia also saw value growth. This compensated for a slight decline in EU and US export value.
Beef
Beef exports rose six percent in volume to 38,788 tonnes and 36 percent in value to NZD 409 million. While exports to China were down 14 percent by volume and four percent by value, strong growth in North America helped drive overall gains.
“In the US, beef production remains steady, but demand for imported lean beef has increased due to lower domestic cow production.”
Beef exports to the US rose 24 percent in volume to 16,743 tonnes, while value surged 73 percent to NZD 194 million. Exports to Canada also increased significantly, up 56 percent in volume and 121 per cent in value.
Results in North Asian markets outside China were mixed. Exports to Japan declined compared to last January, while Taiwan remained steady. However, there was a strong recovery in exports to Korea, up 37 percent by volume and 66 percent by value.
Fifth quarter
Fifth-quarter exports increased 22 percent to NZD 159 million, driven by a sharp rise in tallow exports to the US, which contributed to an 184 percent increase in overall fifth-quarter exports to the market.
In January, tallow was the most valuable fifth-quarter export at NZD 34 million, followed by casings, tripe and edible offals. The US was the largest market for tallow, while most casings and tripe were exported to China. Edible offals were shipped to multiple markets, including the US, China, Japan, and the UK.
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