June 8, 2013

Australia's beef exports to Japan reach over 30,000 tonnes in May

During May, Australia sent 30,374 tonnes swt of beef to Japan, almost on par with last year (down 1%, or 204 tonnes swt) and the first time that monthly volumes reached the 30,000 tonnes mark since July 2012.

Subdued demand for Australian beef in the face of the US competition, combined with the depreciation of Japanese yen, has kept volumes low to Japan since late last year - challenging both Australian exporters and Japanese importers.

Yet, high Australian cattle slaughter and some easing of the A$ is likely to have assisted Japanese buyers to secure more products in May, with frozen grass-fed beef shipments to Japan totalling 15,109 tonnes swt during the month (down 2% on-year, but 42% higher from the previous month).

Chilled beef exports to Japan were steady at 11,560 tonnes swt, occupying 44% of all chilled exports during the month.