Australia-Rise in beef exports.

AUSTRALIAN-RISE IN BEEF EXPORTS.

Beef exports in January jumped 14 per cent on year to 50,028 boneless metric tonnes from 43,854 tonnes, with increased shipments to Japan and the US more than offsetting lower volumes to South Korea.

January is typically a lean month for exports as many meatworks close late December for holidays and annual maintenance, reopening on various dates in January.

This restricts domestic beef production and the volume of meat available for export, thus making comparison with December difficult.

In January, Australia exported 21,905 tonnes of beef to Japan, up 30 per cent on year, and 15,715 tonnes to the US, up 40 per cent, according to the figures.

Australia is the second-biggest global exporter of beef after Brazil, with annual exports valued at more than A$4 billion.

Exports to Indonesia, at 3,127 tonnes, more than doubled on year, but shipments to South Korea of 4,282 tonnes halved.

Marketing concern Meat & Livestock Australia Thursday forecast a 3.4 per cent on-year rise in Australian beef exports in 2009 to 990,000 tonnes, after a soft start, particularly for exports to South Korea and Russia.

The predicted rise primarily reflects an expected decline in the value of the Australian dollar, which is forecast to trade in a range of US$0.65-US$0.75 this year, down from a tumultuous 2008, when it averaged US$0.853. At 0540 GMT, the Australian currency traded around US$0.638.

The weaker currency is expected to more than offset the impact of the global economic slowdown on consumer demand, which will be weaker earlier in the year as disruptions caused by credit problems work through the system, MLA said.