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Drought hurting red meat demand in Japan
25 May 2004
The drought is contributing to a decline in red meat consumption in Japan, Australia's most important market, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. MLA's Mark Spurr told a Senate committee that due to drought, Australian producers have been unable to fulfil Japanese demand.
The Japanese market is currently closed off to the US due to a BSE scare and Australia has increased its market share in Japan by 30 per cent. But the increase could have been even greater if it were not for the drought. Because Australia can't supply enough red meat, Japanese consumers are going for pork and chicken, with overall consumption of red meat dropping 15 per cent.
Mr Spurr said although Australian producers are doing well now, once the US is back in the Japanese market the situation could become tougher. The US will launch an all-out attack on regaining market share lost to Australia.
Tradingroom.com.au, 24/5/04.
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