November 3, 2006

Japanese beef imports up slightly for the month but down for the year

Japanese beef imports increased marginally for September but was down 5 percent for the first nine months of the year over the same period last year.

However, the Japanese peak demand period for beef is fast approaching and stocks are reportedly low, giving an opportunity for Australian beef to close the gap for the year.

Australian beef accounted for 90 percent of Japanese beef imports during September.

Meanwhile Japanese imports of US beef is expected to remain weak at 975 tonnes imported in September, out of a total of 34,363 tonnes imported. 

Japanese imports of New Zealand beef during September was also down 16 percent on-year to 1,788 tonnes while imports from South American nations was down 63 percent to 526 tonnes.