Consumption of imported beef surges in Japan
11/06/2009
Japan’s imported beef consumption strongly recovered in April, increasing 14% on last year to 46,316 tonnes (boneless equivalent), according to Japan’s Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC). The improvement was largely due to lower import costs and the subsequent price reduction at retail, combined with steady performance by the fast food sector.
The reduction in import costs was assisted by the weaker A$ (compared to a year ago). Average retail prices of Australian beef during April declined by 5% to 28% year-on-year (beef priced on special). This, as well as consumers economizing and dining at home instead of eating out, assisted sales of Australian beef at retail outlets, with point of sales data indicating a 12% growth in retail purchase volumes in April (retail prices and POS data by ALIC). In addition, the fast food sector – a major user of Australian frozen beef – recorded a 5% increase in sales during the month.
Approximately 80% of imported beef in Japan is sourced from Australia, followed by the US (10%).
Consumption of Japanese domestic beef also grew in April, by 1% from last April to 32,137 tonnes, bringing the total consumption in Japan to 78,453 tonnes – up 8% year-on-year, and the highest monthly volume since December 2007.
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