Subdued prices for grain finished beef

摘要

We often talk about beef export markets in this column, and this is basically because exports drive our cattle prices, despite our domestic beef sector being the biggest single market for our beef. Our major markets are Japan and the US, and these markets have been at polar oppo-sites in terms of prices in 2010. In this column we take a look at trends in export markets, and what this might mean for cattle prices towards 2011. On the positive side is the strong demand and prices for Australia's lowerquality beef in the US, along with other markets which compete for this beef. Historically, the US has been our biggest market for beef, and more specifically, manufacturing beef which is made up of trim and lower quality cuts which are used in mince andhamburgers. In 2009 Australia exported 251,479 tonnes shipped weight of beef to the US. Some 87% of the exports to the US were frozen beef, 95% was grassfed beef, and 66.3% was manufacturing beef, with other cuts being lower value items such as topsideor flank.