BEEFED-up Australian exports to South Korea in June have allayed local producers' fears the market will be swamped by US product.
US exports to Korea jumped 10 per cent in May, with 13,250 tonnes exported to South Korea.
But the larger quantities of US beef have not affected the amount of product sent by Australian exporters. June exports of Australian beef to South Korea hit a new high of 12,110 tonnes of mostly frozen beef.
This was up 14 per cent on the same month last year, and added to a 17 per cent increase in exports for the year to date.
While exports may be up, value is down, thanks to the strength of the Australian dollar.
Australian beef exports in 2008 were worth $700 million, but slipped to $534 million last year after a 25 per cent increase in the value of the Australian dollar.
Meat and Livestock Australia regional manager Jim Lim, speaking to The Weekly Times from South Korea, said the June export levels were "good news for producers".
"What it shows is that while the US is sending more beef, the export pie (consumption) is getting bigger too," Mr Lim said.
"It is encouraging that we are able to maintain market share and even grow our share, despite the additional beef from the US.
"This is mainly due to the strong economy here, which is growing rapidly."
Mr Lim said figures quoted in the Korean press showed the country's economy grew at 7.6 per cent for the first six months of the year.
This had allowed a greater consumption of beef despite 17 cases of Foot and Mouth Disease since the start of the year.
The reputation of Australian beef as being "safe" was also working in its favour.
Mr Lim said there had been talk South American beef exports may increase, but he believed this was "a long way off".
Mr Lim said any increase in beef imports may also be "at the cost of local beef" but there were no figures to confirm this.
Currently the US can only export beef less than 21 months old to South Korea.
US exports to South Korea in May were three times higher than the same time last year, and were largely responsible for the growth in US exports worldwide.
