August 13, 2007

Australian beef retains supremacy in Japan

Australia's supremacy in the Japanese beef market remains despite efforts by US exporters to reclaim dominancy on the market share for the last 12 months.

US beef remain far below the levels seen prior its first ban imposed in 2003 after Japan lifted its ban last year.

The US Meat Export Foundation said its industry was exporting 20,000 tonnes of beef per month to Japan before the meat was first banned in December 2003.

But figures released by the Japanese Farm Ministry said that in the 10 months ending May 2007, imports totalled just 15,205 tonnes.