Beef Imports Into Japan Down 15 Per Cent

JAPAN - Sufficient frozen beef stocks seem to have slowed the volume of beef imports into Japan during September, reports Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
calendar icon 2 November 2011
clock icon 1 minute read
Meat & Livestock Australia

MLA states that frozen volumes fell 25 per cent year-on-year to 26,205 tonnes swt, while chilled intake increased six per cent to 18,182 tonnes swt (data released by Japan's Ministry of Finance).

Total imports during the month declined 15 per cent from 2010 to 44,387 tonnes, with volumes from Australia and New Zealand falling by 16 per cent (to 28,546 tonnes) and 51 per cent (to 1,352 tonnes), respectively. Shipments from the US improved three per cent on last year to 11,550 tonnes.

MLA reports that imported frozen beef stocks as of the end of August were up 20 per cent year-on-year and the highest since November 2002, at 78,941 tonnes (boneless equivalent).

The high inventory possibly influenced the trade to focus more on chilled beef during the month, particularly products from the US, while the Japanese yen continued to be strong against the weak US$.

As a result, chilled beef imports from the US increased by 49 per cent from last year to 5,862 tonnes, while chilled volumes from Australia declined six per cent to 11,401 tonnes, pressured by the resilient A$.

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