Chilled Grassfed Beef Supply Tight in Japan
JAPAN - The Japanese trade reported tight supplies of chilled grassfed beef in the wholesale market this week, the result of lower volumes out of Australia during December 2011 and January 2012. Wholesale average prices of Australian loin cuts were not quoted this week, due to limited offers in the market.According to Meat and Livestock Australia, for frozen beef, a shortage of product kept US shortplate prices strong, averaging 750 yen/kg this week (up 36 per cent from the same time last year). Australian frozen navel end brisket was traded at around 490 yen/kg this week, up 20 yen from the January average, but still 11 per cent lower compared with 12 months earlier, when supplies had been limited due to floods in eastern Australia.
Australia’s beef trade with Japan was mixed this week. The sustained interest from the US for 85CL, along with 65CL, has kept the sourcing of these by Japanese buyers challenging.
TheCattleSite News Desk