September 8, 2008
Japan's beef imports up 8 percent on-year in July
Japan imported 39,290 tonnes swt of beef in July, up 8 percent on-year, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The rise in beef imports was mainly due to an increase in US volumes, up 81 percent on-year to 6,657 tonnes. Of that, chilled beef accounted for 61 percent or 4,035 tonnes.
Japan imported 28,630 tonnes of Australian beef, up 1 percent on-year. Chilled volume increased 2 percent on-month at 13,843 tonnes, but fell 12 percent on-year.
Japan also imported more pork and chicken during the period, due to food inflation and strong demand for cheaper proteins.
