March 6, 2013

Australia's February beef exports to Japan down 10%

Buoyed by the weak Japanese yen, expectations for increased US supply and competition with other international markets, Australia's beef shipments to Japan during February declined 10% on-year to 21,120 tonnes swt.

Chilled beef exports during the month were down 9% from last year to 9,300 tonnes swt, with frozen volumes also falling 11% to 11,820 tonnes swt.

While the relaxation of US beef import protocols from February 1 subdued interest in Australian beef among Japanese end-users, supplies from the US are reportedly tight, with offer prices remaining strong.