Image by Alexa from Pixabay

Meat and dairy exporters in Australia and New Zealand have cooled reports claiming China was to suspend shipments from the two countries.

Media sources in China had claimed Beijing was set to block the imports. There had been suggestions China had concerns about foot and mouth disease.

Neither Australia nor New Zealand has reported cases of foot and mouth, although the disease has been found in Bali, a popular tourist destination. Both Australia and New Zealand have sought to bolster biosecurity controls as a result.

Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of New Zealand trade body the Meat Industry Association, told Just Food shipments of red meat to China remained ongoing.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“We understand New Zealand red meat exports to China are continuing as normal and products are being cleared through the border,” Karapeeva said.

See Also:

A spokesperson for Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest dairy company, added: “We are not aware of any suspension of New Zealand or Australian dairy products into China.”

Speaking to Reuters, the Australian government said it had contacted its representatives in the Chinese capital about the claims.

“We are aware of rumours. The Australian Embassy in Beijing has been in contact with China Customs and no formal notification has been issued,” an Australian government official told the news agency.

A government representative in New Zealand made a similar statement.

“We’ve made enquiries with Chinese authorities, including through our Embassy staff in China. These enquiries confirm that New Zealand products are continuing to be cleared through the border,” Steve Ainsworth, market access director at the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

According to data from marketing body Meat & Livestock Australia, Australia’s beef and sheepmeat exports to Greater China for 2020–21 totalled 341,519 tonnes swt [shipped weight], valued at AUD3.1bn (US$2.17bn). For the 12 months ended June 2021, China’s beef import volume exceeded 2.25 million tonnes swt, up 15% year-on-year, valued at AUD14bn, Meat & Livestock Australia says, citing data from IHS Markit.

New Zealand government figures say China continues to be the top market for the country’s meat exports, which were worth more than NZD3.5bn (US$2.21bn) and accounting for almost 40% of shipments by value in 2021.