Good times roll on for meat exporters

The amount of New Zealand lamb exported fell, but the per-tonne value was up. Photo / Glenn Taylor

The first quarter of the 2014-15 meat export season was another strong one, says Beef and Lamb NZ.

The average per tonne value of lamb exports continued to improve between October and December to $9140 a tonne, giving an annual price gain of 8.7 per cent.

But lamb exports by volume fell 6.2 per cent to 57,500 tonnes, itsaid.

Over the same period, beef and veal exports registered a record high of 78,000 tonnes, making for an annual gain of 14 per cent.

In the three months to December, beef and veal export returns reached nearly $600 million - up 48 per cent on the same period in 2013.

Most of the extra beef exports went to North America, particularly to the United States.

North America took 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.

As well as the increase in shipments, beef and veal's average per tonne value increased 29 per cent to $7670 a tonne in the first quarter of the 2014-15 season, compared with $5940 a tonne last season.

Of the main lamb export destinations, North America was the only region with an increase in volumes. The total value of lamb exports rose by 2 per cent to $526 million.

The amount of mutton exported fell 4.4 per cent to 17,200 tonnes, but remained at historically high levels.

Demand from North Asia for mutton was down in the quarter.

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 an increase 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 $5420 a tonne, driven by an improvement in average values achieved in every region, except North Asia.

Meaty exports
Three months to December
• $9140 per tonne of lamb, up 8.7 per cent.
• $526 million of total lamb exports, up 2 per cent.
• $7670 per tonne of beef and veal, up 29 per cent.
• $600 million of beef and veal exports, up 48 per cent.