Japan stock increases in November
JAPAN - Japanese stock levels of imported beef at the end of November were 18% greater than at the same time in 2005, reflecting high import volumes in November 2006 and a fall in consumption.According to figures released by the Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation of Japan, November imports were up 13% to 40,980 tonnes compared with the same month in 2005, while domestic beef production stood at approximately the same volume. Meanwhile, the consumption of beef per household in November 2006 decreased by 6.6%, to 550g, when compared with the same period in 2005 (Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).
At the end of November, the estimated stock level of imported beef was 63,031 tonnes (up18% compared with November 2005) and domestic beef 11,369 tonnes (down 6%).
Although an easing beef consumption trend was reported for November, Australian beef made significant progress against competitors in December. MLAfs Japan office conducted the Harumi Kurihara Christmas campaign to increase Australian beef purchase at retail. Subsequent retail sales data, collected via a point of sale system, showed that Australian beef sales increased to 10kg per 1,000 customers during the period of the campaign (a 1.2kg increase compared with the previous week). Wagyu and domestic dairy retail sales in the same week were 1.8kg and 2.7kg, respectively. There were no recorded sales of US beef.
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