Japan-This weeks meat trade.

Higher chilled wholesale prices for imported beef in Japan

20/03/2009

Japanese wholesale prices for Australian chilled loin cuts increased slightly this week while frozen beef prices remained steady. The price rise in Australian chilled beef was reportedly due to the strong Japanese yen and steady consumer demand.

Meanwhile, both wholesale and retail prices for domestic beef in Japan dropped, as trader demand and consumption imported beef strengthened due to imported beef’s competitive price.

Wholesale prices for domestic Wagyu steer A3, was down 16% to 1,458 yen per kilogram in the second week of March – the lowest price since July 2002. The decrease in domestic wholesale prices resulted in lower prices at Japanese supermarkets (Nikkei).