January 20, 2012
The Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation of Japan has reported an improvement for domestic beef consumption during November 2011.
However, Japan's steady beef production volumes, subdued consumer spending and radioactive contamination issues during 2011 also contributed to the accumulation of stocks during the month. Inventories of domestically produced beef during November were up 12% on-year at 14,618 tonnes (boneless equivalent) - the highest level since November 2002.
Imported beef consumption during November declined 8% from the very high volumes for the same period in 2010 (50% more than the same month 2009) at 45,308 tonnes. The imported beef inventory was 5% higher, with the majority being frozen items (89% of total).
Total beef consumption during January to November 2011 totalled 780,951 tonnes, up 1.4% compared to the corresponding period in 2010.
