“This is the result of a number of factors,” he said, “including renewed competition between foodservice and retail triggered by the reopening US economy, combined with grilling season, all-time high consumer incomes and strong exports,” he said.
In Australia, Mr Gidley Baird said successive years of drought and large livestock liquidation, have resulted in the Australian beef cattle herd being at its lowest point in over 30 years.
“With stock numbers so low and seasonal conditions favourable over recent months, we’ve seen intense competition among producers looking to restock properties and generate value out of increased pasture production,” he said.
For Brazil, a delay in seasonal rainfall had seen lower cattle supplies available, forcing processors to push up cattle prices and keep supply flowing, particularly given the demand from the import-hungry Chinese market. While there are reduced cattle supplies across the EU – reflecting low profitability seen in the sector there last year due to the impacts of COVID.
“EU beef carcass prices have been firming since quarter four 2020, with the average EU beef carcass price currently up seven per cent on the same period last year,” Mr Gidley-Baird said.
In China meanwhile, the report says, slow growth in domestic beef production which has not been able to keep up with the strong local growth in consumption – triggered by substituting beef for pork during the outbreak of African swine fever – had led to rising beef imports in past years.
“While part of the beef consumed as a substitute for pork will shift back when pork production recovers, we expect strong Chinese beef demand to remain as new markets have been established,” Mr Gidley-Baird said. “This will continue to drive Chinese beef imports from the global market.”
New Zealand
The reports says New Zealand farmgate beef prices nudged upwards in April and are expected to hold steady during May, with the reduced competition from Australia assisting New Zealand product in finding a home with the change in seasons in the US.
“US demand for manufacturing beef has lifted in line with the changing of the seasons, with some warmer weather bringing out the barbecues, along with the reopening of eateries, as vaccinations become more widespread and restrictions ease in some states,” Mr Gidley-Baird said.
“And we expect these dynamics will continue over the next month, helping to maintain New Zealand farm gate prices.”
Mr Gidley-Baird said recent news out of Argentina may also benefit New Zealand producers.
“Argentina’s recent decision to cease beef exports, together with low Australian supplies, does create the potential for further upside in New Zealand beef prices — especially given New Zealand is well positioned to supply chilled beef to China,” he said.
The report says New Zealand beef exports rose five per cent to 266,875 metric tonnes for the seven months to April 2021.
“This was largely driven by increased volumes to China and the US — up four per cent and 12 per cent respectively — compared to the same period last year,” Mr Gidley-Baird said.
“Despite this lift in volume, the value of exports fell just over nine per cent over this period, with a much stronger NZ dollar contributing to some of this fall.”
Rabobank New Zealand is a part of the global Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has nearly 120 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 40 countries, servicing the needs of about 8.6 million clients worldwide through a network of close to 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank New Zealand is one of the country's leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the New Zealand food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 32 branches throughout New Zealand.
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