■ Shin/shank is now reportedly a popular item sold at retailers, which is used for Chinese cuisines, such as a Chinese cold dish, beef noodle, hot pots and stews.
■ Silverside/outside is reportedly highly sought after by Chinese wholesalers, to meet increasing demand from the food service sector.
■ The top three popular cuts during the first six months of 2013 were still in the same trend as 2012-13 - brisket (11,264 tonnes swt), shin/shank (10,652 tonnes swt) and silverside/outside (7,540 tonnes swt).
■ With the declining national local cattle herd in China, carcase exports climbed during 2012-13, totalling 5,607
tonnes swt, from a total of 47 tonnes swt in 2011-12. The increase was reportedly driven by an attempt reduce costs and get local processors to process the carcase.
Beef exports 2012-13 (July 2012 to May 2013) - values
■ Australian beef export values into China surged 565% on 2011-12, to A$357 million, of which chilled beef values accounted for A$58 million (up 226% year-on-year) (Global Trade Atlas - GTA).
■ Frozen beef export values jumped 734% year-on-year, to A$297 million.
Beef exports 2013 (January to May) - values
■ Australian beef and veal export values during the first five months of 2013 reached A$232 million, from A$19 million for the correspondent period in 2012.
■ Frozen beef export values surged to A$188 million during the first five months of 2013 (from A$11 million during the first five months of 2012), with chilled beef values also rising 493%, to A$43 million.