Beef exports to Japan underpinned by brisket

07 February 2012

Australian beef exports to Japan during January totalled 16,799 tonnes swt, only 57 tonnes swt higher than the flood affected 2011 volumes, with the volume sustained by strong demand for briskets.

The surge in brisket exports, up 48% year-on-year to 4,047 tonnes swt, was helped by firm demand from the Japanese fast food sector, limited US stocks (due to the import suspension imposed on a major US plant), and softer buying from Korea.

Otherwise demand from Japan during January lacked spark, following substantial volumes shipped in December 2011. The high A$ and firm cattle prices made negotiations difficult for both Australian and Japanese traders. Major declines for the month were seen in fullset (down 56% to 578 tonnes swt), manufacturing beef (down 11% to 4,635 tonnes swt), and other/hamburger patty categories, according to data released by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

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