Japan beef consumption up slightly in March

Beef consumption in Japan increased 3% year-on-year to 73,275 tonnes (boneless equivalent) during March, according to data by Japan's Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation.

Imported beef largely contributed to the growth, adding 14% on last year to 45,737 tonnes.

Beef demand was reportedly strong from the Japanese fast food sector (volume users of Australian beef) in March, while beef purchases by households showed a 4% increase from the previous year (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, MIC). It is estimated that approximately 60% of beef sold at retail is Australian.

While beef consumption volumes were relatively firm in March, consumers' strong focus on lower value items – at both foodservice and retail – has still been a concern for the Japanese trade.

The same MIC data revealed a 5% fall in household beef expenditure, indicating the ongoing deflationary economy in the market and cautious spending by consumers.

Beef consumption during the March quarter totalled 202,860 tonnes, up 3% from the previous year, but still 7% below 2003's level - prior to the BSE outbreak in the US.