Posted on 09/15/2015 6:56:05 PM PDT by sushiman
Japanese beef imports to drop further than thought
Japan, the world's largest importer of US beef, will see imports shrink further than previously expected, as exportable supplies of the meat tighten.
The US Department of Agriculture bureau in Tokyo forecast Japanese beef imports falling to a five-year low of 727,000 tonnes this year, 13,000 tonnes below the department's official forecast.
The forecast came despite an increased forecast for consumption, of 1.24m tonnes, narrowly higher year on year.
However, the extra consumption will be met from stocks rather than imports, which will drop for a second successive year, as exportable supplies from Japan's two top origins, Australia and the US, are squeezed.
Tighter supplies
The bureau flagged the "high price" of import from both Australia and the US, "as cattle slaughter and beef production in both countries is projected to fall in 2015".
Both Australian and US producers are expected to focus more on growing herds, after liquidation sprees in recent years encouraged by dry weather and rising beef and cattle prices.
Australian exports to Japan may come under particular pressure, given the extent of demand for its grass-fed beef from other buyers – including the US.
This factor could offset the advantage that Australian beef has in Japan, thanks to lower tariffs, 10 percentage points below those for US supplies for frozen cuts.
'PEDv cases have noticeably fallen'
Japanese pork imports are also likely to fall this year, by 5% to 1.25m tonnes, as the effects of an outbreak of porcine epidemic diahorrea virus (PEDv) dissipates and the rate of domestic pork production increases.
"As reported PEDv cases have noticeably fallen… Japan's 2015 domestic hog slaughter is anticipated to recover modestly in 2015, projected at around 16.4m head,"
PEDv, which also devastated US production over the past two winters, reduced the speed of pig slaughter.
Japan is the world's top pork importer.
Drought was a killer for all here in Texas......
Understand , but Trump is saying Japan does not want US beef - quite the contrary .
However, the extra consumption will be met from stocks rather than imports, which will drop for a second successive year, as exportable supplies from Japan’s two top origins, Australia and the US, are squeezed.
It’s all ‘bushes’ fault!!!
Your point ? Supplies from US and AUS “ squeezed “ . What would you like Japan to do ???
It says they are producing more in country rather than importing.
I thought he said china, not japan
He’s been ranting about all the cars they sell the Japanese sell in the USA ( that Americans WANT mind you ) , and that all Japan imports is beef , and they don’t really want it . BS .
Japan is brutal on our rice exporters too. Playing all kinds of bureaucratic games.
Re-read . Nothing about producing more beef in country . Stocks .
I hate to say it folks, but American beef is just too tough and chewy for most Japanese consumers. Aussies got a clue some years back and started growing cattle that was flavorful and also tender enough to appeal to Japanese, who consider beef a delicacy and only eat it one or twice a month. I very seldom buy American beef anymore.
Japan does protect their rice farmers . Many are just small , land poor farmers who , while supplying their family each year with rice , sell to Japan Agriculture for sale domestically . You want the Japanese Govt. to drive all of these countryside folks into ruin ?
Stocks is the cattle they have raised.
No...
The US drove Haitian rice farmers to ruin a while back with free aide rice...
And before that we did something similar in Vietnam, which drove broke ice farmers into the arms of the VC.
All to kiss up to the farm lobby.
Even with fast-track authority, it would be hard to come to terms on beef. The deal has gotten stuck largely because of Japan’s import tariffs on sensitive farm goods, notably beef, which carries a 38.5% duty.
Seem they charge a 38.5% tariff on our beef - and what do we charge them for their imported cars, and electronics?
Got a local rancher that has a herd of Bonsmara cattle thats to die for. Still some good stuff here in the Texas panhandle. Grass fed herds versus mass production . I keep a black angus, side of bonsmara, a cow elk and a mule deer in the freezers. Girl Friday likes to dry age some cuts and do the sous vide thang which is awesome way to prepare it if your local sources are tough cuts.
Stay Safe, eat well....
“and what do we charge them for their imported cars, and electronics?”
And whose fault is that ? ( rhetorical q )
Yes , HAVE raised .
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