April 9, 2010

US beef exports to Japan swell in March

US beef exports to Japan picked up substantially in March, up 28% on-year to 39,283 tonnes, according to the US Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The increase in March brought the first quarter of 2010 shipment volumes on par with the same time last year, at 83,760 tonnes. The total exports during the period were 2% above the 2009 quarter, but 7% below the five-year average.

The volume surge in March was largely due to an increase in frozen beef shipments, up 50% to 22,068 tonnes compared with the previous year.

Improved beef supply during the month allowed Japanese buyers to replenish depleted stocks in the market, and to secure product for the upcoming Golden Week holiday season (April 29 to May 5). Chilled beef volumes also lifted 7% on-year to 17,215 tonnes.