Japan                                    ...

Japan                                                                                            

Japan Imports 18 Percent More Pork In First Eight Months Of 2004

Japan imported 640,182 metric tons of pork products in the first eight months of 2004, 18 percent more than in the same period of 2003. Imports of U.S. pork in this period (183,639 metric tons) were statistically unchanged according to just-released Japanese government data.

The pork safeguard, which came into force on August 1, severely affected pork imports, which fell to 49,381 metric tons in August compared to 103,963 metric tons in July. Imports of U.S. pork fell from 25,318 metric tons in July to 15,731 metric tons in August. Imports of chilled U.S. pork, however, increased 12 percent in Jan-Aug. 2004 compared to Jan-Aug. 2003 to 91,779 metric tons. USMEF-Japan attributes this to a shortage of chilled beef due to the ban on U.S. beef imports.

Japan                                                                                            

Japan Imports 18 Percent More Pork In First Eight Months Of 2004

Japan imported 640,182 metric tons of pork products in the first eight months of 2004, 18 percent more than in the same period of 2003. Imports of U.S. pork in this period (183,639 metric tons) were statistically unchanged according to just-released Japanese government data.

The pork safeguard, which came into force on August 1, severely affected pork imports, which fell to 49,381 metric tons in August compared to 103,963 metric tons in July. Imports of U.S. pork fell from 25,318 metric tons in July to 15,731 metric tons in August. Imports of chilled U.S. pork, however, increased 12 percent in Jan-Aug. 2004 compared to Jan-Aug. 2003 to 91,779 metric tons. USMEF-Japan attributes this to a shortage of chilled beef due to the ban on U.S. beef imports.