Frozen Beef Imports Surge In Japan
JAPAN - Japanese beef imports during November 2010 surged by 50 per cent year-on-year, to 51,008 tonnes swt, with the frozen beef intake jumping 105 per cent on the relatively low volumes 12 months earlier, to 32,816 tonnes.
10 January 2011
1 minute read
Australia was the major contributor to the increase in frozen beef imports during November, with shipments increasing 78 per cent on 2009, to 20,926 tonnes swt. The growth was assisted by steady demand for affordable CL products and the possible anticipation of limited supplies from Australia into 2011. On the other hand, chilled beef shipments from Australia declined 11 per cent year-on-year, to 12,937 tonnes, reflecting slow sales of higher valued items in the market, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
Imports from the US continued at an increasing pace, largely helped by the weak US$ - averaging 8 per cent lower year-on-year against the yen during October and November. Both chilled and frozen imports of US beef jumped significantly in November, up 55 per cent year-on-year, to 4,232 tonnes and 171 per cent to 6,665 tonnes, respectively.
In the 11 months to November 2010, Japan had imported a total of 453,582 tonnes of beef, up 3 per cent from 2009. Australia held 71 per cent of the imported beef market share (320,188 tonnes) during the period, followed by the US at 18 per cent (81,519 tonnes).
TheCattleSite News Desk
