September 3, 2004
Aussie Beef Imports Up In Japan
Australian beef continued to dominate Japan's beef imports in July, comprising 41,135 tons sw of the 45,849 tons sw of beef imported. Imports of beef increased 23% compared with June, but were 27% below the level of imports in July 2003.
Japan also imported 4,509 tons sw of beef from NZ, 144 tons sw Mexican beef, 34 tons sw from Chile as well as 24 tons sw from Vanuatu. Imports of beef from Mexico have been temporarily suspended, following the Korean discovery of US beef in beef imports from Mexico.
Lower imports of pork and chicken in July are expected to worsen the already tight supply of protein in Japan. Imports of chicken totaled only 29,120 tons in July, down 33% on the previous year, while imports for the seven months to July fell 29%.
Imports of pork for the calendar year to date rose 17%, while imports for July dropped 13% on last year to 103,963 tons sw.