Japan's beef consumption down 10% in November

Beef consumption in Japan during November 2009 weakened 10% year-on-year to 66,993 tonnes.

Imported beef consumption in November fell 20% from the same month in 2008, to 32,802 tonnes, according to data released by Japan's Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation.

The decline was largely due to reduced import volumes, which dropped 12% on-year, on the back of slow demand from end-users, particularly the foodservice sector.

In Japan, the foodservice sector consumes approximately 60% of total beef, and Australia is a major supplier to this category. According to the Japan Foodservice Association, the industry's overall sales and spend per customer during November was down by 6% and 5% year-on-year, respectively.

Japanese fast food outlet sales were about the same as 12 months ago, but western fast food recorded a 5% sales fall despite a 3% increase in customers.

In comparison, sales of Australian beef at retail were relatively firm, with ALIC point of sale data indicating a 4% year-on-year increase in purchase volumes during November.

In the calendar year to November 2009, Japan's beef consumption totalled 757,725 tonnes, 2% above the same period in 2008, but 11% lower than 2003 prior to the mad cow disease outbreak in US.