New Zealand red meat exports continue to achieve high values

Strong European demand for sheepmeat helped lift New Zealand red meat exports to $864 million in July, marking another positive month for the sector.

Although combined sheepmeat and beef export volumes were seven per cent lower than in July 2024, export values increased 19 per cent, reflecting firm global meat prices.

Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the European Union was a standout market.

“The volume of sheepmeat exports to the EU was largely unchanged from last July at 3,957 tonnes but the value grew by 34 per cent to $85 million, making it the largest sheepmeat market by value for the month.

“The current level of strong global meat prices is highlighted by the fact that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Meat Price Index reached an all-time high in July, and this was mostly driven by higher beef and sheepmeat prices.”

Export values were higher across most major markets compared to last July.

The United States remained the largest overall destination, with exports worth $262 million, up 11 per cent. China followed with $175 million, an increase of 17 per cent.

The United Kingdom rose 49 per cent to $73 million, Taiwan increased 51 per cent to $40 million, and the Netherlands was up 39 per cent to $39 million.

Sheepmeat

Sheepmeat exports totalled 22,779 tonnes, 11 per cent lower than a year earlier, but the value was 21 per cent higher at $308 million.

China was the largest market by volume with 8,724 tonnes, down 11 per cent, although the value increased by 34 per cent to $60 million.

Exports to the United States lifted slightly by volume to 2,686 tonnes, while value rose 20 per cent to $57 million. The United Kingdom took 2,772 tonnes, down 32 per cent, but the value was still up four per cent to $42 million.

Beef

Beef exports reached 35,847 tonnes, four per cent lower than last July, but the value rose 17 per cent to $402 million.

The United States was the largest beef market, taking 14,845 tonnes, down three per cent by volume, but up 13 per cent in value to $174 million.

Exports to China were steady at 9,350 tonnes, with the value increasing 14 per cent to $73 million. Beef exports to the EU rose 84 per cent by volume to 701 tonnes and 114 per cent by value to $17.5 million.

The United Kingdom was the most significant growth market, importing 2,266 tonnes worth $28.6 million, increases of 688 per cent and 564 per cent respectively compared to last July, although still below the record volumes of June.

Ms Karapeeva said UK government data showed domestic beef production between January and July was down by 4.6 per cent, or just under 25,000 tonnes, compared to the same period last year.

“Australian beef exports to the UK also increased significantly in July. While there were high levels of exports from New Zealand and Australia to the UK, they were still only the equivalent of 6.5 per cent of UK production for the month.

“US prices for imported beef also remain strong, and as the additional tariffs were implemented in August, any impact from these will only begin to show up in the August trade data at the earliest.”

Fifth quarter

The value of co-product/fifth quarter exports was steady at $155 million. Edible offal rose 14 per cent to $31 million, prepared meat products increased 19 per cent to $27 million, and casings and tripe lifted 38 per cent to $27 million.

These gains were offset by a 55 per cent decline in blood products exports to $15 million and a 16 per cent decline in tallow to $15 million.