August 17, 2009

Japan's June beef consumption plunges

Japan's beef consumption in June eased 3 percent year-on-year to 71,565 tonnes - the second consecutive month to record a year-on-year decline, demand and supply data from Japan's Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation show.

Yet, beef consumption for the first six months of 2009 sat 2 percent higher than the same time last year, at 406,519 tonnes.

Consumption of imported beef in June declined 9 percent year-on-year to 42,378 tonnes, due to possible slow performance of the foodservice sector with sales in the sector falling 3 percent in June (The Japan Foodservice Association). The fast food sector, which had shown year-on-year growth up until May, also experienced slowing sales. Approximately 60 percent of Australian beef is consumed in restaurants and catering businesses in Japan.

In contrast, consumption of Japanese domestic beef rose by 7 percent to 29,187 tonnes in June, largely assisted by increased production (up 6 percent on last year) and lower carcase prices (down 7-10 percent from a year ago in most categories).