Japanese Beef Imports Lift 22 Per Cent
JAPAN - Japan imported 57,315 tonnes swt of beef during August, the highest monthly volume since July 2005.
8 October 2012
1 minute read
Shipments from the US totalled 16,775 tonnes swt – an increase of 33 per cent year-on-year and the largest volume since the resumption of imports in 2006.
The increased volume from the US was particularly evident across the chilled sector, with shipments reaching 8,033 tonnes swt (40 per cent higher than 2011 and almost on par with 2003). Around half of the volume for the month consisted of shoulder and round cuts, assisted by firm demand from family restaurants and some retail chains. Frozen beef imports from the US also increased, up by 27 per cent on last year, to 8,742 tonnes swt.
Imports from Australia were up 12 per cent year-on-year, to 32,413 tonnes swt, while other suppliers such as New Zealand, Mexico and Canada also registered higher monthly volumes.
Japan’s Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation noted on its forecast that import volumes in September and October are expected to remain similar or slightly below the 2011 level, following the high volumes in August.
TheCattleSite News Desk
