New Zealand Beef Exports Seen Rising

WASHINGTON - Sep 27/06 - SNS -- New Zealand is looking to increase beef and veal exports 7% in 2007 to a forecast 580,000 metric tones (MT), according to the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

New Zealand's beef industry continues to benefit from U.S. and Canadian difficulties in re-entering Asian markets. New Zealand beef exporters expect minimal disruption from the re-entry of U.S. beef to the Japanese market, with a small decline in market share and prices.

New Zealand exporters will fight to retain the market share they have gained. They expect that share will gradually be lost to U.S. exporters in the long-term, but hope to retain some of the gains they have made as the dynamics of the market are expected to be different to those before the ban.

New Zealand grass-fed beef has different product attributes to North American grain fed beef. Although traditionally seen by Asian consumers as a lesser product to grain-fed beef, New Zealand exporters hope that Asian consumers have developed a taste for their beef during the absence of North American product. New Zealand promotion will emphasize that New Zealand beef is natural, free range, disease free and high in nutrients.

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