Japan-Beef imports down in March.

JAPAN-Japan beef imports back in March

Japanese beef imports during March declined 13% year-on-year, to 35,203 tonnes swt (The Ministry of Finance, Japan). The lower volume for the month was largely due to reduced shipments from Australia, down 16%, to 28,198 tonnes (80% of total beef imports for March), as importers held off buying additional stocks prior to the end of Japanese Fiscal Year (31 March).

US beef imports for March increased 29% on the same period last year, to 3,553 tonnes still only 14% of March 2003 volumes (pre-BSE). Shipments from both New Zealand and Mexico declined by 4% (to 2,847 tonnes) and 47% (to 469 tonnes), respectively.

While March was another very tough month for food businesses in Japan, as the recession continued to bite, the fast food sector, which is a large user of Australian beef, was an exception, with sales up 5% year-on-year (the Japan Foodservice Association).