Canadian beef exports to Southeast Asia are up 148 per cent overall in volume compared to 2020.
The latest export numbers, covering January to October 2021, note that overall global beef exports are up 25 per cent in volume and 40 per cent in value from the same period last year. Exports to the Southeast Asia region are up 183 per cent in value, with the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam importing the bulk of the Canadian beef for the region.
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Southeast Asia comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Due to lack of proper storage facilities, the majority of beef exports to Southeast Asia are frozen products. Exports to these countries typically peak in the warmer months.
Vietnam
Beef consumption in Vietnam is projected to be up 2.7 per cent from 2020 to 343,000 tonnes. Consumption is projected to increase 27 per cent over the next decade, supported by both imports and domestic production.
Canadian exports to Vietnam of 10,643 tonne valued at $73 million were up 131 per cent in volume and up 177 per cent in value. Vietnam relies on imports for 70 per cent of their beef consumption. Domestic production is expected to increase only 15 per cent, while imports are projected to be up 49.5 per cent or 50,000 tonnes by 2030 from 2021 levels. Beef imports could be affected by the ongoing influence of African swine fever, which is still affecting local pork prices and leading to high demand for protein substitutes.
Pho, a popular Vietnamese dish, uses thin cuts of flank and plate in a noodle soup, boosting demand for that primal this year. The top three Canadian primal exports to Vietnam include:
- Other: 2,106 tonnes (-28 per cent)
- Flank/Plate:1,967 tonnes (+181 per cent)
- Rib:1,585 tonnes (+433 per cent).
Philippines
Canadian beef exports to the Philippines totalled 4,467 tonnes, valued $12.6 million. Those exports were up 537 per cent in volume and up 229 per cent in value from the same period in 2020. Overall, imports are expected to grow 22 per cent by 2030 as domestic production tapers off.
Demand for the top three primals stem from traditional dishes such as kare-kare, a beef stew made with oxtail, and beef kaldereta, another type of beef stew. The top three Canadian primal exports to the Philippines include:
- Offal: 2,645 tonnes (+545 per cent)
- Other: 1,655 tonnes (+1665 per cent)
- Rib: 102 tonnes (+ three per cent).
Taiwan
Exports to Taiwan were down 44 per cent in volume and down 33 per cent in value, totalling 1,092 tonne and $10.7 million as of October 2021. Exports have steadily declined since 2017 when they peaked at 3,825 tonnes. Beef is a minor meat in Taiwan and while consumption has increased in the last decade, this increased demand has most likely been picked up by the U.S. and Australia while Canada has seen a steady decline in volumes.
Demand for the top primals imported from Canada typically come from traditional Taiwanese cuisine with beef noodle soup made with slowly braised beef, hot pot and beef stew being popular. The top three Canadian primal exports to Taiwan include:
- Chuck: 442 tonnes (-36 per cent)
- Flank/Plate: 318 tonnes (-45 per cent)
- Rib: 154 tonnes (-68 per cent).
