The USA had exported 159,000t of beef to Japan (its largest export market) and 113,000t to Korea. These are gains of 6pc and 36pc respectively on the previous year.
The USA has therefore a slightly larger export market share than Australia in Japan, but a huge advantage over Australia in Korea.
China is becoming a bigger importer of beef as domestic incomes improve.
If current growth is continues, China will overtake the 155,000t of imports which it so spectacularly achieved in 2013.
