April 20, 2005

Australia still to be the major beef supplier to Asia

Following an agreement between the US and Japan on re-opening the beef trade, major global supplier Australian Agricultural Co. is optimistic that the supply of US beef to North Asian markets will not be a threat to Australia's dominant coverage there.

Though the newly reopened borders of Japan and South Korea would mean increased competition, the number of US cattle that would actually be able to meet the entry requirements will be low.

Current predictions of when US beef products will re-enter Japan range from June to early 2006.

Australian Agricultural is the largest cattle company in Australia, with 524,000 cattle on its 26 farms occupying about 7.9 million hectares.