January 15, 2004

Japanese Import of Australian Beef Could See 40% Increase

Australian beef imports to Japan may see a 40% increase following the ban on US beef.

Official figures forecast that Australia will be able to increase beef exports to Japan by 100,000 tons by diverting some meat from the U.S. market, where beef consumption is expected to fall.

Japan, the biggest overseas buyer of U.S. beef at about $1.8 billion a year, has said it will not allow shipments to resume until it is satisfied the U.S. meat is free of the mad cow disease.