Japan's September beef imports highest in five years

Japan imported 52,037 tonnes swt of beef in September, the highest monthly volume since July 2005, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance, Japan.

Imports from the US surged 84% year-on-year, to 11,174 tonnes swt, exceeding 10,000 tonnes for the first time since the resumption of the US beef trade to Japan in July 2006.

Frozen beef shipments from the US increased by 132% year-on-year, to 7,251 tonnes, largely supported by strong demand for briskets (74% of total). Chilled imports grew by 33% to 3,922 tonnes, with 55% being shoulder and round cuts.

Frozen imports from Australia also lifted strongly during the month, increasing 57% year-on-year, to 22,042 tonnes. However, the chilled beef intake was subdued, falling 8% to 12,110 tonnes.

In the nine-months to September 2010, total Japanese beef imports reached 369,061 tonnes - up 4% from the corresponding period in 2009. Supplies from Australia and the US during the nine months totalled 263,473 tonnes (down 3% year-on-year) and 63,248 tonnes (up 28% from last year, but still only 32% of the pre-BSE 2003), respectively.

In regard to Japan's safeguard mechanism, imports of chilled and frozen beef during April to September 2010 were lower than the trigger levels set for the period in JFY 2010. The safeguard mechanism gives Japan the option to increase the beef tariffs from 38.5% to 50% once trigger levels are exceeded. Frozen beef imports during the period reached 149,982 tonnes, 94% of the cumulative trigger level (160,040 tonnes).