13 January 2015
Strong demand improves meat export returns
Beef + Lamb New Zealand compiles lamb, mutton and beef export statistics for the country. The following summarises
activity during the first quarter of the 2014-15 meat export season (1 October 2014 to 31 December 2014).
Summary
A more favourable exchange rate and strong demand – particularly for beef – saw average meat export returns improve in
the first quarter of the 2014-15 season.
Please note that all values quoted are FOB (free on board) and in New Zealand dollars.
Lamb exports
After increasing in 2013-14, the average per tonne value of lamb exports continued to improve in the first quarter of
the 2014-15 meat export season (up 8.7 per cent to $9,140 per tonne). The amount of lamb exported was down 6.2 per cent
to 57,500 tonnes shipped weight, compared with the same period last season. Of the main export destinations, North
America was the only region to see an increase in volumes. The total value of lamb exports rose by 2.0 per cent to $526
million.
Mutton exports
Compared to the first quarter of last season, New Zealand mutton export volumes fell 4.4 per cent to 17,200 tonnes
shipped weight. However, in a historical context, volumes remained at high levels.
Demand from North Asia softened in the first quarter of the 2014-15 season. North Asia accounted for 68 per cent of
total mutton shipments – down from 77 per cent during the same period last season. As a result, New Zealand mutton
export destinations were more diversified than in 2013-14, with a surge in exports to South Asia, North America and the
European Union.
The average per tonne value of mutton exports increased by 3.5 per cent to $5,420 per tonne in the first quarter of the
season, driven by an improvement in average values achieved in every region, except North Asia. The decrease in export
volumes offset the increase in average per tonne value, leading to a 1.1 per cent decline in the total value of mutton
exports, to $93 million.
Beef and veal exports
From October to December 2014, New Zealand beef and veal exports registered a record high 78,000 tonnes shipped weight,
up 14 per cent on the same period in 2013. This reflects record high international beef prices, driven by a beef
shortage in the US and high slaughter numbers in New Zealand partly due to low dairy prices.
The additional beef that New Zealand exported was essentially directed to North America, particularly to the US. North
America accounted for 58 per cent of New Zealand beef and veal exports in the first quarter of the 2014-15 season, up
from 45 per cent in the same period last season.
Along with this increase in shipments, there was a strong increase in beef and veal’s average per tonne value, which
rose 29 per cent to $7,670 per tonne in the first quarter of the 2014-15 season, compared with $5,940 per tonne last
season. In the three months to December 2014, beef and veal export returns reached nearly $600 million – up 48 per cent
on the same period in 2013.
Note: European Union includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.
North America includes: Canada, Mexico, United States of America.
North Asia includes: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macao, Taiwan.
South Asia includes: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
Meat exports interactive tool
Download customised analysis and graphs of New Zealand export lamb, mutton and beef statistics (by market, value and/or
volume) by visiting portal.beeflambnz.com/tools/export-tool.
About Beef + Lamb New Zealand:
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd is the farmer owned industry organisation working for a confident and profitable sheep and
beef industry. It works to help farmers make informed business decisions and promote their collective interests.
Priorities include investing in research and development that meets the needs of farmers and the sector, developing farm
and farmer capability and delivering knowledge that drives farm performance. It also works to attract and retain talent
for the sector, supports the sector’s market opportunities, advocates for farmers ability to operate and builds sector
confidence and profile within communities.