New Zealand exported red meat and co-products were worth $870 million during July 2021 – a 29 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the latest analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
More than 25,300 tonnes of sheepmeat and almost 50,000 tonnes of beef were exported with increases in the value of exports to all major North American and Asian markets.
This included a 1425 per cent increase in beef exports to Thailand compared to July 2020.
Thailand was New Zealand's 10th largest market for beef by volume during the month, at 347 tonnes.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the main reason for the growth in exports to Thailand was the removal of beef safeguards that were put in place when the NZ-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) was negotiated 15 years ago.