Supported by underlying strong demand, subdued domestic production and high local beef prices, the rise in imports was due to a 150 per cent surge in frozen beef imports, offsetting a 33 per cent fall in chilled volumes, reports Meat and Livestock Australia.
Beef imports from Australia for the year increased 38 per cent, to 5,566 tonnes swt, accounting for 31 per cent of the total imported beef market. Australia dominated the imported chilled beef market (mainly loin cuts), with a 94 per cent market share.
Despite Australia's chilled beef dominance in 2009-10, Uruguay was the largest supplier of beef for the period, at 7,801 tonnes swt - 44 per cent of the total imported market. The jump in Uruguay shipments in 2009-10 was helped by lower comparative beef prices.
Imports from New Zealand and Brazil for the period increased 120 per cent and 186 per cent, respectively, year-on-year, to 3,137 tonnes swt and 1,272 tonnes swt.
