July 1, 2004

 

Surge In Pork Consumption In Japan

 

The ban of US beef in the Japanese market has led to a significant shift to pork consumption in Japan.

 

Recently released figures reveal consumption of pork in Japan jumped 45 per cent, to an historically high level of 178,429 tonnes in April.

 

Consumption of pork in Japan has increased dramatically since 2001, with supply and demand of beef significantly impacted by BSE in both Japan and the US.

 

Restaurant and retail chains struggled to adapt supply chains for beef in the early part of the year, with many increasing imports of pork at this time.

 

The pork safeguard was removed at the start of April 2004 leading to imports further increasing and affecting consumption patterns.

 

Consumption of chicken increased only one per cent compared with March, but fell nine per cent compared with April 2003, to 130,325 tonnes.

 

Imports of chicken have been disrupted due to outbreaks of avian influenza in key markets that supply Japan, stifling potential increases in chicken consumption.

 

Beef consumption rose 29 per cent compared with March, but fell two per cent compared with April 2003, to 79,450 tonnes.

 

Consumption of domestic beef increased 11 per cent compared with March, to 32,690 tonnes.

 

And consumption of imported beef increased 45 per cent, to 46,760 tonnes, compared with March.

 

However, it fell nine per cent compared with April 2003, as Japanese importers and end-users adjusted to the ban on US beef and increased supply from Australia and New Zealand.