JAPAN-Golden Week in Japan slows trading
Japanese inquiries for Australian beef were steady on Monday and Tuesday this week, but the trading slowed thereafter as the Golden Week holiday commenced in the market. Export prices in US$ terms remained relatively unchanged from last week, with beef production still reduced due to rains as well as weak demand.
The trade reported ongoing interest in grilling items in the Japanese wholesale imported beef market. Frozen prices were mostly unchanged, while chilled prices were not available due to the public holiday.
The public in Japan have been alarmed about the swine influenza, with both the US Meat Export Federation and Mexican Pork Exporters Association communicating messages about the safety of their pork and processed pork products to Japanese consumers this week. The US is the largest supplier of the imported pork to Japan, followed by Canada, Denmark and Mexico.