The monthly value of New Zealand red meat and co-product exports for April was largely unchanged from the same month
last year despite COVID-19, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
New Zealand exported $859 million of lamb, mutton, beef and co-products in the month of April. While the overall value
of exports was broadly similar compared to April 2019, there were changes to some major markets due to the impact of
COVID-19.
Total exports to the United Kingdom were down 27 per cent to $39.6 million compared to last April and down 30 per cent
to Germany ($22 million).
Exports to China continued to recover, up 16 per cent to $353.6 million. There were also increases for other Asian
markets, in particular Japan, with total exports up 66 per cent to $46.8 million and Taiwan up 36 per cent ($36.4m),
compared to last April.
Export values of both chilled sheepmeat and beef dropped compared to last April, down 35 per cent to $52.7 million for
sheepmeat and 19 per cent to $30.1 million for beef, reflecting the challenges of exporting perishable products during
the trade disruptions caused by COVID-19.
However, exports of frozen sheepmeat were largely unchanged from last April at $300.7 million and frozen beef exports
increased 16 per cent to $329.7 million.
Japan was the stand-out beef market for April with exports worth $24.4 million, up by a massive 87 per cent compared to
last April.
The beginning of April also saw a further reduction on the tariff rates on beef into Japan under the Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the tariff savings on New Zealand beef exports to Japan
now total around $32 million.
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, says New Zealand has continued to demonstrate
adeptness at navigating the ongoing market volatility.
“Our industry is benefiting from the strong and enduring relationships across different markets and this has allowed us
to weather the COVID-19 storm.
“Whilst there is some softening of prices, demand is now increasing for prime cuts. The natural grass-fed attributes of
New Zealand red meat is giving us an advantage. There is a premium to be gained from leveraging the New Zealand story,
ensuring it is credible and backed by quality assurance.
“The silver lining of this crisis is that it’s providing our industry more opportunities to look at different channels
to market such as retail. Processing and exporting companies are out there exploring these and other options.”
In March 2020, total monthly red meat exports topped $1 billion for a single month for the first time ever.