John Campbell | BBC News N.I

Faarea Masud | BBC News

Beef

Beef exports lifted 46% from April 2023 to 113,431 tonnes. This is the largest beef export volume for April since 2015, and the second highest on record.

Exports lifted in most major exports markets, with the United States remaining the largest beef market with exports rising 127% from last year to 27,257 tonnes.

Large increases were also seen in several smaller markets across South-East Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Exports to Thailand more than doubled to 2,141 tonnes, while exports to Saudi Arabia lifted 235% to 1,602 tonnes.

The only major market where exports dipped was for China, where volumes eased 11% compared to last year to 14,888 tonnes. Between considerable increases in exports to smaller markets and a slight fall in exports to China, Australia’s beef exports are now the most diversified they’ve been since 2016; exports outside of Australia’s top four markets have made up 25% of the total in 2024 so far, compared to 17% for the first four months of 2023 and 15% in 2022.

Sheepmeat

Lamb exports rose 41% from April last year to 31,318 tonnes, while mutton exports rose 20% to 18,913 tonnes. This is the largest April export figure for lamb, mutton, and overall sheepmeat exports on record, following very strong export totals in February and March.

The United States remained the largest market for Australian lamb exports, while mutton exports to MENA lifted 144% from last year to 5,853 tonnes, displacing China as our biggest mutton market for the month.

Growth in mutton export volumes was observed across the entire MENA region, but especially in the Gulf States; exports to Saudi Arabia rose 153% to 1,956 tonnes, exports to the United Arab Emirates lifted 28% to 804 tonnes and exports to Qatar lifted a massive 501% to 765 tonnes.

Market access update

On Friday last week, Brazil declared itself free of foot-and-mouth disease ‘without vaccination’. This is a designation that would grant Brazil market access to several key beef markets, if the disease-free status is accepted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and importing countries.

Over the past decade Brazil has become the world’s largest beef exporter by volume, accounting for around 25% of global trade in 2023. Its exports are heavily geared towards China, where it has market access, and its disease status prevents exports into Japan and South Korea.

Fortunately for Australian exporters, Australia’s suite of free trade agreements (FTA) gives our beef a comparative advantage in global markets regardless of technical market access. In 2026, Australia’s FTA with South Korea will give us a 35% tariff advantage on most favoured nation (MFN) (baseline) trading terms, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which both Australia and Japan are signatories, will give Australia an 18% tariff advantage over MFN trading terms.

 

MLA

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have improved this week with base quotes of €9.20-€9.40/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €10/kg (+QA bonus) available.

The strong deadweight trade at the minute is being driven by the tighter supplies of suitable hoggets for processing and spring lambs have been slow to come forward also.

 

The tight supply situation has not been confined to Ireland, with hogget throughput in the UK so far this year operating five per cent behind 2023 levels with reports of significant numbers of ewe lambs previously set aside for breeding now being processed. The latest supply forecast for the EU has indicated a two per cent decline in throughput during the first half of 2024 which equates to a 580,000 head reduction in the sheep kill. Tighter supplies are expected until the 2024 lamb crop starts to come forward for processing in significant numbers.

 

Demand for lamb on both the domestic and export markets has shown some signs of recovery as indicated by Kantar figures and Bord Bia’s own market insights. However, while consideration for lamb has recorded some improvement in recent months lamb continues to be the most exposed to shifts in consumer buying habits as the highest priced protein.

 

Prices: Last weeks reported price increased to €9.43/kg, an uplift of 23c/kg from the week previous. In the corresponding week in 2023 the reported price was €7.32/kg. The deadweight trade has also remained firm in the UK regions with reported prices the equivalent of €9.92/kg (+8c/kg) in mainland GB last week while the reported price in Northern Ireland was €9.60/kg (+27c/kg) for w/e April 28th  2024. Southern Hemisphere prices remain well below European prices which makes Southern Hemisphere product very competitive on EU markets, even with the extra costs of transport factored in. Deadweight lamb prices in Australia and New Zealand were the equivalent of €4.14/kg and €3.42/kg respectively last week.

 

Throughput: The total sheep kill in DAFM approved plants for week ending April 28th  2024 was 34,712 head, back marginally from the corresponding week in 2023. Throughput for the year to date has totalled 840,150 head, 10% behind the corresponding period in 2023. The hogget kill for the year to date has totalled 750,662 head, operating 8% behind 2023 levels. Meanwhile the ewe/ram kill year to date is back by  9,067 head (-10 %) to 81,026 head. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to appear for processing with 7,327 processed so far this year.

 

Bord Bia

Also:

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Cattle & Beef

Throughput: There were 33,164 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending April 28th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 596,422  head. This is a 17,139  head or 2.8% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 579,283 cattle were processed. There have been 423,905  prime cattle processed in the first 17 weeks of 2024, a 2.7% increase from the same period last year (+11,832 head). Cow throughput has remained strong with 146,167 cows processed so far this year, a notable increase of 18,295 head (+12.5%)

 

Prices: Prime cattle supplies have steadied, and this has been reflected in a steadying of the base quotes from the major processors, with base quotes increasing last week. Base quotes this week are in the region of €5.15-5.20/kg for steers while starting quotes for heifers are around €5.20-5.25/kg. The trade for the smaller numbers of young bulls on offer remains steady with €5.30-5.40/kg available for R grading animals under 24 months of age.

The cow trade has remained solid, particularly this week despite the strong throughput in recent weeks. Well fleshed O grading cows are being quoted at €4.60 with €4.70-4.80c/kg available for good quality R grading cows. A significant proportion of the cow kill have achieved a conformation score of P in recent months and the prices available for these animals vary significantly based on grade, weight and quality.

For the week ending April 28th 2024, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 remained steady to be €5.21/kg. This was 6c/kg behind the corresponding week in 2023 when the R3 steer price was €5.27/kg. Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups etc.

EU and UK prices:

European young bull prices have held relatively stable in the early weeks of 2024. The average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €5.02/kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending April 28th 2024. This is the same as Week 17 last year. Tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have meant deadweight beef prices in the UK have remained strong. This week the average R3 steer price increased 2c/kg to be €5.70/kg (equivalent to £4.89/kg).

 

Bord Bia

 

Also:

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have improved this week with base quotes of 900-930c/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of 960c/kg (+QA bonus) available.

The strong deadweight trade at the minute is being driven by the tighter supplies of suitable hoggets for processing and spring lambs have been slow to come forward also.

 

The tight supply situation has not been confined to Ireland, with hogget throughput in the UK so far this year operating five per cent behind 2023 levels with reports of significant numbers of ewe lambs previously set aside for breeding now being processed.

The latest supply forecast for the EU has indicated a two per cent decline in throughput during the first half of 2024 which equates to a 580,000 head reduction in the sheep kill. Tighter supplies are expected until the 2024 lamb crop starts to come forward for processing in significant numbers.

 

Demand for lamb on both the domestic and export markets has shown some signs of recovery as indicated by Kantar figures and Bord Bia’s own market insights. However, while consideration for lamb has recorded some improvement in recent months lamb continues to be the most exposed to shifts in consumer buying habits as the highest priced protein.

 

Prices: Rising demand for lamb in the run up to Easter and Ramadan combined with the tighter supply situation outlined above contributed to the significant strengthening in the Irish deadweight trade year to date.

Last weeks reported price increased to 877c/kg, an uplift of 7c/kg from the week previous. In the corresponding week in 2023 the reported price was 705c/kg. The deadweight trade has also remained firm in the UK regions with reported prices the equivalent of 993c/kg (+25c/kg) in mainland GB last week while the reported price in Northern Ireland was 870c/kg (+13c/kg) for w/e April 13th 2024.

Southern Hemisphere prices remain well below European prices which makes Southern Hemisphere product very competitive on EU markets, even with the extra costs of transport factored in.

Deadweight lamb prices in Australia and New Zealand were the equivalent of 398c/kg and 342c/kg respectively last week.

 

Throughput: The total sheep kill in DAFM approved plants for week ending April 13th 2024 was 45,971 head, back marginally from the corresponding week in 2023.

Throughput for the year to date has totalled 770,908 head, five per cent behind the corresponding period in 2023. The hogget kill for the year to date has totalled 693,854 head, operating three per cent behind 2023 levels.

Meanwhile the ewe/ram kill year to date is back by 5,717 head (-7 %) to 73,678 head. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to appear for processing with 3,323 processed so far this year.

Bord Bia

See also: Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 13th 2024

Welsh Beef producers are set to take centre stage with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), shining a light on the sectors sustainability credentials during Great British Beef Week (23-30 April).

As part of its activity, which will feature beef farmers from across Wales, HCC is also highlighting practical steps beef farmers can take to improve efficiencies on farm and boost profitability, as well as showing consumers 5 different ways to use PGI Welsh Beef through some delicious recipes.

The nationwide campaign celebrates the versatility and exceptional taste of home produced beef, while highlighting the commitment and dedication of beef farmers to sustainable practices.

HCC’s Campaign Executive, Philippa Gill said: “Without the abundant rainfall we have here in Wales, the Welsh Beef story wouldn’t be what it is today. Beef cattle in Wales are overwhelmingly reared in non-intensive farming systems, using Wales’s natural resources – water and grass.

“PGI Welsh Beef has an incredible story to tell – from the people who produce it, the sustainability and environmental credentials of our Welsh Beef, as well as its versatility and great taste. Those are all things that HCC is going to champion and amplify during the week – taking a multi-pronged approach to highlighting the uniquely Welsh credentials which we know resonate so well with consumers.”

 

Hybu Cig Cymru

 

Also:

PGI Welsh Lamb campaign “a major success”, says HCC

Welsh lamb to be showcased in the US

Welsh secure new lamb deal with Japan

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) – The first shipment of Russian pork has been delivered to the Chinese market according to Miratorg, the first company to begin deliveries after China lifted restrictions on Russian pork imports last September.

A consignment of products weighing 27 tonnes was produced at the holding’s meat processing complex in the Belgorod region and sent from Selyatino station on March 7 by rail to Vladivostok. From there, it was loaded onto a ship to the port of Nansha in China. Russian transport company Fesco organized the intermodal shipment process.

The container arrived at the Chinese port after one month in transit, from where the importer unloaded the shipment into his warehouse on April 13.

“We greatly value the Chinese market and take a responsible attitude towards fulfilling all the veterinary requirements of the importing country. The goal is to increase supply volumes in the coming years and expand the range of meat products in accordance with the taste preferences of Chinese residents.

The company independently ensures 100% quality control and complete traceability of products at all stages from “field to table,” Miratorg’s press service said.

 

Interfax

 

Also:

Russia sends first pork shipment to China in 15 years

Russian pork exports to China begin ahead of schedule

First Russian pork on its way to China

Boosting pork exports to Southeast Asia: Russia launches the Meat Shuttle

 

Tim Jackson | Meat & Livestock Australia 

 

Also:

Australia manages more than half global sheep meat trade in 2023

Australian goatmeat exports surge in 2023

Australian Government leads red meat mission in the UK