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Last Updated: Jun 25th, 2007 - 17:07:26 |
The de-listing of Australian and New Zealand processors has hit Malaysia‚s beef market.
Meat wholesalers in Malaysia have been buffeted in recent months by tighter supplies and higher prices on both imported and local beef, according to analysts at Meat and Livestock Australia.
The Malaysian audit of the halal practices in Australia and New Zealand during May resulted in the de-listing of all but two beef exporters from the two countries. MLA said that since this time, wholesale prices for Australian chilled beef have generally ranged between zero and eight percent higher, depending on the cut.
While importers continue to try to absorb the price increase, they have notified retailers that the higher prices could be passed on in October. MLA said that Australia‚s sole supplier to Malaysia is reportedly confident of being able to generally meet the chilled beef requirements of the retail segment in Malaysia over the next couple of months ˆ albeit not necessarily every cut. Retailers are reporting shortages of certain cuts, such as chuck tender and eye round.
Prices for New Zealand beef and offal are also higher, according to the MLA report. Some importers are reportedly being cautious in buying offal at the current prices, as the market situation for the next couple of weeks is uncertain, and they want to avoid incurring losses.
Prices for frozen Indian buffalo meat have risen from US$1,000 to US$1,525 per container over recent months, and the trade expects the price to rise to US$1,800 per container by early 2006. Local beef in Malaysia remains in short supply.
MLA said that in response to the current supply shortages, some Malaysian companies, including two hamburger manufacturers, have started looking to Uruguay and Brazil to boost frozen boneless beef and beef fat supplies.
Prices of beef, and particularly offal, are likely to escalate further in the lead up to Malaysia‚s hari raya fasting and celebration period (early October 2005) ˆ typically a period of higher demand for beef and offal.
MLA said that negotiations are continuing between the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia regarding the current halal protocols.
In a related development, the Malaysian government recently approved four slaughter plants in China, which are located in a FMD-free zone, according to trade publications.
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