September 10, 2009
Japan consumes more imported beef in July
Japan's consumption of imported beef jumped 29 percent on-year to 44,836 tonnes in July amid a strong recovery in imported beef volumes.
Japan's beef consumption in the month totals 75,320 tonnes, up 14 percent on-year. The country also consumed 30,483 tonnes of domestic beef, down three percent on-year.
The recovery of imported beef consumption was likely supported by the improved performance of the fast food sector, which is a large user of Australian beef.
Imports of Australian beef increased 22 percent on-year to 35,067 tonnes, while price of the meat also declined at retail level.
US beef imports also grew 45 percent on-year to 9,381 tonnes swt.
In the first seven months of 2009, Japan consumed 481,839 tonnes of beef, up three percent on-year but still 10-percent lower than the pre-BSE level in 2003.
