December 11, 2009

Japan's October beef consumption accelerates

A 33 percent year-on-year increase in beef imports is the main drive behind the 17-percent growth in Japanese beef consumption in October.

Japan consumed 80,838 tonnes (boneless equivalent) of beef in October.

In addition to October imports, some frozen imported stocks kept in the bonded warehouses were also cleared and distributed in the market, as Japan prepared for the high meat consumption season that lasted from October to December.

Western style fast food restaurants performed well and retail prices were reduced, boosting the growth of imported beef consumption. As a result, imported beef consumption soared 27 percent from a year ago to 48,571 tonnes, the highest volume since December 2003.

Japanese domestic beef consumption also increased four percent to 32,267 tonnes. From January to October, Japan's beef consumption increased three percent on-year to 690,732 tonnes.