Russia Remains World's Largest Beef Importer
RUSSIA - According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Russia is forecast to remain in its new found position as the world’s leading beef importer in 2012, with volumes expected to increase one per cent, to 1.06 million tonnes, reports Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
2 February 2012
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MLA reports that the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) volume remains unchanged in 2012, with a significant amount again expected to be imported above the quota.
Russia continues to have restrictions in place on certain Brazilian beef facilities, significantly reducing imports from Brazil. An embargo placed on selected Brazilian facilities in May 2011, meant that by the end of November only 84 plants out of the original 249 licensed by Rosselkhoznadzor could sell meat without restrictions to Russia. This had a significant impact on Brazilian exports to Russia throughout 2011, with exports falling from a high of 33,854 tonnes swt in May to a low 11,051 tonnes swt in September.
Alternative suppliers to Russia are expected to benefit from the continued restrictions on Brazilian beef and the redirection of Brazilian product to other markets, largely in the Middle East and in their own domestic market. Australia exported 54,088 tonnes to Russia in 2011, making Russia Australia’s fourth largest export market behind Japan (342,188 tonnes swt), the US (167,820 tonnes swt), and Korea (146 356 tonnes swt).
TheCattleSite News Desk
