March 10, 2004

Japan To Cut Tariff On Australian Beef

Australian beef exports to Japan is set to increase following the reduction in import tariffs next month.

Japan has increased its tariff from 38.5 per cent to 50 per cent for the past eight months after a surge in imports last year.

Peter Weeks from Meat and Livestock Australia says with US product banned because of the mad cow disease scare, Australian beef will be more popular.

"There has been a bit of a lull over the last two to three weeks," he said.

"Now that's been associated with the upcoming fall in the tariff.

"So we should see a pick up by next week in some of that demand, but it's still being quite high to this time last year."