For the 2008-09 fiscal year (October-September), New Zealand (NZ) beef and veal exports rose 3%, spurred by a lower exchange rate - which averaged 20% less than the previous year at 61US¢ - and a higher cow kill, which complemented a general shift in global demand towards cheaper beef.
       
       This trend was particularly evident in north America - manufacturing beef to this region accounted for 55% of total NZ beef exports for the year. Manufacturing product volumes rose 2% to 177,218 tonnes, while chilled beef sales fell 10% to 22,820 over the period.
       
       NZ exports for the year rose 47% to Canada (31,404 tonnes) - with manufacturing shipments up 63% to 19,414 tonnes. Volumes to the US were flat at 172,266 tonnes (a 4% lift in manufacturing sales to 128,400 tonnes was outweighed by a 10% fall in chilled volumes to 22,820 tonnes).
       
       Exports to Japan (28,817 tonnes) and Korea (30,080 tonnes) fell 10% and 23%, respectively, mainly due to sluggish demand and the return of US product.
       
       Australian beef exports showed similar trends over the same period, but fared slightly better, with a 32% rise in shipments to the US (289,562 tonnes) and a 16% increase to Canada (11,766 tonnes). Australian exports fell 4% to Japan (357,854 tonnes) and 14% to Korea (118,619 tonnes).
       
       Source: MLA, October 22, 2009.