Australian beef less exposed to China volatility than competitors

China is not only Australia's largest beef and sheepmeat customer, it is now the cornerstone of the global meat trade. With that comes weight and Australian beef exporters are feeling the brunt of that with four major processing plants suspended from supplying China this year. That development, combined with the ongoing political tensions culminating with this week's intense talk from the Federal Government around military moves to prepare for an expected 'rise of China', has understandably left producers anxious about the future of a market that is contributing strongly to their prosperity. Throw in the hike on the tariffs slapped on Australian beef arriving in China - even though that was routine as per trade agreements and happened last year with little consequence to volumes going into China - and there is quite a bit of unease. Global beef market expert Tim Ryan, Meat & Livestock Australia's Singapore-based markets insight manager, says Australia is far less exposed than ...