Despite the dampening effect of the financial and economic crises on global red meat demand in 2008-09, beef shipments to the South East Asia/Chinas region have been robust. Exports increased from Brazil, US, New Zealand and Australia. Indeed, new records were set for exports from all these countries to the region in 2008-09, including a 28% jump in shipments of Australian beef to a record 109,654 tonnes swt.
       
       Brazilian beef shipments to South East Asia/Chinas in 2008-09 increased 10% on the previous year, to 105,566 tonnes swt. The growth in exports was largely due to strong demand in mainland China, while high prices following reduced supply available for exports saw the Brazilian beef trade to Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore fall.
       
       Also driven by increased Chinese demand, US beef exports to the region during the last year jumped 35% to 89,608 tonnes. Shipments to Taiwan eased for the first time since 2005-06, by 2%, as high prices impacted orders.
       
       New Zealand beef trade to South East Asia/Chinas finished 2008-09 slightly higher than 2007-08, reaching a record high of 63,088 tonnes swt. Volumes rose to almost all markets, except for Indonesia and the Philippines where price sensitivity remained the key constraint.
       
       Over the fiscal year to February, India shipped 20% more carabeef to South East Asia/Chinas, to 137,541 tonnes swt - the highest volume on record for this period, with rises in volumes sent to China and Vietnam more than offsetting falls to Malaysia and the Philippines.
       
       Source: MLA (August 28, 2009).