More imported beef for Japanese consumers
AUSTRALIA - Japanese consumption of imported beef grew 19% on the previous year during May. Month end stocks of imported beef, however, were the highest in the last 12 months, reflecting the higher imports over the first four months of the year. The increased stocks in May probably contributed to reduced exports from Australia in June (12% below previous year).According to data released by Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation of Japan, overall beef consumption during May increased by 11% on last year, to 67,208 tonnes. In comparison, pork and chicken consumption showed little movement – 134,486 tonnes (no change from last year) and 143,619 tonnes (up1%), respectively.
A total of 191,359 tonnes of imported beef was consumed in Japan over the January to May 2007 period, an increase of 10% on the same period in 2006. Meanwhile consumption of domestically produced beef declined 2%, to 136,004 tonnes.
Beef imported during the same period was also up 8% on the previous year, to 195,691 tonnes, with the increase mostly coming from the US and Canada. Australia’s share of the imported beef market in Japan was 85% over the five months for May.
TheCattleSite News Desk