March 9, 2007

Australian beef exports to Japan stable
 

Australia recorded another steady month of beef shipments to Japan during February, with exports increasing 2percent on the same time last year, according to figures released by the Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.

Exports for the month totalled 33,433 tonnes slaughterweight (swt), comprising 15,627 tonnes of chilled beef and 17,806 tonnes of frozen beef.

Frozen Australian grassfed beef shipments to Japan have been growing significantly over the last six months, with shipments reaching 13,290 tonnes during February - up 16 percent on February 2006 levels. Frozen grassfed shipments for the past 6 months (September 2006 - February 2007) have increased 36 percent on the same period in 2005-06, to 75,980 tonnes, while total beef exports for the same period have only increased 14 percent.

The increase in frozen grassfed supplies has been assisted by increased turnoff rates due to the drought.