October 3, 2008

Japan imported 45,872 tonnes of beef in August, up 28 percent on-year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The increase was due to a surge in frozen beef supplies from Australia – a 75-percent increase on-year to 21,221 tonnes. This reflects Japan's economic slowdown and rising demand for cheaper meat products, especially trimmings, when income expenses shrink.

Japan's chilled beef imports declined 9 percent, with Australia supplying 78 percent or 13,310 tonnes of the total.

Japan imported 6,440 tonnes of US beef in August, up 61 percent on-year but down 3 percent from June this year. Imports of US beef is likely to continue falling for the rest of 2008, as the supply of under-21 months old cattle drop during the US autumn and winter seasons.