Australian beef exporters appear to have struck pay dirt in Russia.
Exports to the Eastern European country for the first three months of this year hit 4740 tonnes a 12-fold increase on the same time last year.
While the New Zealand meat industry looks to create new markets in developing countries, the Australians have been nurturing the Russian market.
They have eroded the market share of South American suppliers who have been hampered by trade restrictions following a foot and mouth outbreak.
Other South American beef suppliers were handicapped by high prices.
Meat and Livestock Australia's Europe manager, David Jones, said in a statement that exporters aimed to maintain those gains.
"The Russian beef market has huge potential and we will be doing all we can to build and continue expanding Australian beef's market share."
Exporters were also selling new products.
During March there were sales of silverside, chuck, blade and thick flank or knuckle cuts, none of which were exported in the same three months of last year.
Russians eat 15.73kg of beef per person a year, 54% below 1991 levels, but the Unite States Department of Agriculture has forecast consumption to increase, with estimates 2.46 million tonnes would be eaten this year, a rise of 40,000 tonnes on last year.