June 6, 2008

Japan imports 8 percent less beef in April
    

Japan's beef imports in April were 38,598 tonnes swt, down 8 percent from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The decrease was due to a 21 percent cut in chilled shipments from Australia, while volumes from the US grew to 3,263 tonnes, the largest monthly total so far this year.

Imports from Australia reached 31,639 tonnes, 56 percent of which is frozen beef.

Demand for frozen meat, mainly manufacturing beef, was driven mainly by high import costs and tightening consumer spending. These have increased the popularity of less expensive food products such as fast food hamburgers and other minced meat dishes.