August 3, 2007

Meat exports to Japan sliding

Japan imported lesser beef, pork and chicken in June this year, compared to the same month last year.

Beef imports in June amounted to 43,661 tonnes, down 9 percent on the previous year. Imports during the first six months of the year were down 4 percent on-year, at 239,351 tonnes.

Imports from Australia in June, at 35,485 tonnes, was 17 percent below June 2006, but remained unchanged for the first six months at 202,016 tonnes.

New Zealand is still the second largest supplier of beef to Japan, at 3,688 tonnes, down 17 percent on the previous year.

US beef imports in June reached 3,410 tonnes - the highest volume since trade resumed last year, bringing the US's 2007 total to 12,917 tonnes.

June pork imports were down 7 percent compared to the same month last year while chicken imports were down 35 percent.

The sharp drop in chicken imports was due to an increase in prices from major chicken suppliers Brazil and the US.