Russia also leapfrogged Korea, outstripping its beef order by 70pc.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and showed a huge lift in beef exports to Russia, plus a rise in shipments to Korea and the European Union.

Meat and Livestock Australia said the sparkling Russian demand reflected higher prices from

South America, strong consumer demand and lower domestic production.

Shipments to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (of which about 98pc goes to Russia) in May reached a record 17,557 tonnes (shipped weight).

In fact, exports to the CIS for the first four months of 2008, at 30,569t, were greater than total exports for the past eight years.

Russian importers have been able to outbid buyers from the US, Japan and Korea for manufacturing and cheaper forequarter and hindquarter cuts, MLA said.

Japan remained the biggest buyer, and Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was doing his best to make sure it stayed that way during a visit there this week.

Mr Rudd stopped by the meat section of the Jusco supermarket where Australian beef is sold and provided a helping hand to Aussie Beef promotional staff serving up beef samples to shoppers.

Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) regional manager, Samantha Jamieson, said the high-level support was a real boon for the Australian beef industry.

Mr Rudd’s visit comes just days before Father’s Day (June 15) in Japan, a time of greatly increased beef consumption there.

From The Land, June 12, 2008