April 6, 2006

Australian beef exports to Japan sets new monthly record

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) reported that red meat exports to Japan continued to grow in 2006.

Australian beef exports to Japan reached 43,264 tonnes in March, the first time Australian beef exports to Japan have exceeded 40,000 tonnes in a month. Exports were up 32 percent compared to February 2006, and 10 percent above March 2005.

Australian beef exports for the first quarter of 2006 was 94,266 tonnes, down five percent compared to the same period last year.

Shipments to Japan are on track to achieve the 390,000-tonne forecast for 2006, MLA said.