March 12, 2007

Japan beef exports stable
 

Beef exporters reported solid interest from Japan, though buyers remain price conscious.

Fullset export prices increased slightly from last week, with shortfed traded at an average of 238 cents per pound (/lb), up 3 cents/lb last week while grassfed averaged 218 cents /lb (up 1 cent /lb).

Demand for grassfed beef on the Japanese wholesale market is expected to improve towards the end of March, according to the Japanese trade. Offal items were traded at high prices this week, with Australian frozen tongue up 135 yen, to 1,825 yen per kilogramme (/kg), while mountain tripe also increased 260 yen/kg, to 1,625 yen/kg. This rise is largely due to the arrival of Japan's peak Yakiniku (grilled meat) season, and exporters believe that the demand for barbeque items continue to be strong.