March 4, 2004

Australian High Exports To Japan Breaks February Record

Australian beef exports to Japan hit a record high in February totaling 35,016 tonnes, the highest shipment in that month on record.

Exports of Australian beef increased 47% compared with February 2003 exports, and were 24% above February 2001 (before exports to Japan slumped following the discovery of BSE in Japan's cattle herd).

Exports of grassfed beef totalled 21,281 tonnes, with exports of grainfed beef totalling 13,735 tonnes. Total beef exports increased 48% compared with January, and 47% compared with February 2001. Exports of grainfed beef experienced the strongest gains,up 57% compared with January and 45% compared with February 2003.

There continued to be a higher proportion of frozen product shipped to Japan, as Japanese importers try to reduce the impact of the increased tariff on chilled beef. The tariff on chilled beef will fall from 50% to 38.5% from 1 April.