AUSTRALIAN red meat (beef and veal, lamb, mutton and goat) exports to China during August reached new highs, at 24,465 tonnes swt, according to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) reports the monthly total accounted for 19 per cent of Australia’s total red meat shipments, compared to only 4pc in August last year (at 4,617 tonnes swt).

The record volume was assisted by the highest beef and goat exports to China on record, at 16,192 tonnes swt and 632 tonnes swt, respectively, combined with the second highest sheepmeat exports, at 7,641 tonnes swt.

Contributing to the record beef and veal exports during August was an increase in grainfed beef exports, exceeding 2,000 tonnes swt for the first time, at 2,259 tonnes swt.

Overall, the cuts demanded in the largest quantity during August included shin/shank (3,738 tonnes swt), brisket (2,828 tonnes swt) and carcase (2,035 tonnes swt).

While August exports for these three cuts was steady to higher on the previous month, the volume of thick flank/knuckle, was down 10pc on July, at 957 tonnes swt, while topside/inside shipments rose 132pc on July, to 841 tonnes swt.

The second highest sheepmeat exports comprised of 3,181 tonnes swt of lamb (the fifth highest monthly volume on record) and 4,460 tonnes swt of mutton (the second highest monthly volume on record)… read more