December 1, 2006

Meat stocks in Japan low
 

Japanese stocks of pork, chicken and beef in the month of September fell 7.2 percent on-year, to 409,890 tonnes, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.

Stocks are being whittled down due to tight supply overseas.

Pork stocks dropped to 187,716 tonnes, a decline of 22 percent on the same period last year and the lowest since March 2005.

While domestic pork production in September remained stable, imports dropped 33 percent from 65,692 tonnes to 49,355 tonnes, as pork from the US and EU became more expensive.

Beef stocks fell 4.5 percent, from 76,129 tonnes last year to 72,682 tonnes in September this year. The decrease was largely due to a fall in stocks of domestic beef, and partially due to a fall in imported stocks.

Japanese stocks of pork and chicken are expected to drop further

Demand for Australian beef is expected to remain strong, as US beef supply is still limited, MLA said.