Japan-The domestic beef market.

JAPAN-Gyudon price competition heats up in Japan

17/04/2009

With Japanese consumers trying to weather the recession, gyudon (beef rice bowl) operators have cut prices. Zensho group announced a mark down of the standard gyudon at its Sukiya chain, while Yoshinoya and Matsuya have also launched special campaigns to attract more customers.

Inquiries from the Japanese wholesale market were steady this week, but the trade expects a lift in demand from next week, with the upcoming arrival of Golden Week (a series of public holidays, from 29 April to 6 May).

Exporters reported that beef production in Queensland was affected by rains this week. Kill days are also reportedly being dropped due to the poor export prices. This, as well as the recent lift in the A$, assisted beef export prices to Japan to increase.