December 30, 2003

Japanese Beef Imports in November

Japan imported 51,598 tons of beef in November, with 26,138 tons from Australia, 24,488 tons from the US and 1,052 from New Zealand, Vanuatu and Chile. 

Chilled beef imports, which continue to be disrupted by increased tariffs, account for only 18,818 tons in November, a 24% fall compared to the same period in 2002.

The discovery of a single case of BSE in the US has prompted Japan to ban, at least temporarily the imports of beef from the US.  This comes just six months after Japan banned imports from Canada, when they also discovered a single case of BSE.