Imported Beef Expands Japan’s Beef Consumption

JAPAN - Japan consumed 75,320 tonnes (boneless equivalent) of beef in July, up 14 per cent from last year, powered by a strong recovery in imported beef volumes.
calendar icon 9 September 2009
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Meat & Livestock Australia

According to beef supply and demand data by Japan’s Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation, consumption of imported beef grew 29 per cent in July year-on-year, to 44,836 tonnes, Meat and Livestock Australia reports.

In contrast, consumption of Japanese domestic beef eased by three per cent from July 2008, to 30,483 tonnes.

The recovery in imported beef consumption during July – after having registered year-on-year declines in the last two previous months – was possibly caused by the improved performance of the fast food sector (a large user of Australian beef), the reduced price of Australian beef at retail and subsequent lift in sales, as well as increased beef imports from the US (up 45 per cent in July year-on-year, to 9,381 tonnes swt). Imports of Australian beef also increased during the month, up 22 per cent from 2008 to 35,067 tonnes.

In the calendar year to July, Japan’s beef consumption totalled 481,839 tonnes, three per cent above the same time last year but still 10 per cent lower than the pre-BSE level in 2003.

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