Sharp contraction in shipments to China in July

Beef export volumes to China fell sharply in July as shipments from Australia and Brazil slowed after both countries filled the quotas allocated to them for this year.

Brazilian exports dropped to almost half the more than 150 thousand tons per month shipped from that origin in May and June. Most of that July volume was probably shipped during the first half of the month. Australian sales totaled less than 7 thousand tons after ranging around 30 thousand tons per month between February and May.