Japan | U.S. Meat Sales Hit By West Coast Port Dispute | Imports of U.S. meat...

Japan

U.S. Meat Sales Hit By West Coast Port Dispute

Imports of U.S. meat in October, especially chilled pork, were hit by the West Coast longshoremen’s dispute. The dispute further hit future U.S. beef sales by causing retailers to cancel or postpone U.S. beef promotions in the third and fourth weeks of October and hold domestic beef promotions instead. Some U.S. packers met commitments by bringing product in by air. In addition to delivery problems, Japanese buyers ordered less October-produced U.S. beef, concerned about the future progress of the dispute. Prior to the strike, the most recent Japanese import figures (September) showed an 18.1 percent decline in total beef imports (48,480 metric tons (mt)) compared to the same month in 2001. The U.S. captured the largest market share (48 percent) with 23,539 mt, 17.8 percent lower than September 2001.

Several Japanese companies also turned to air freight to maintain supplies of U.S. chilled pork, and USMEF-Japan estimates that air charges added some 250-300 yen per kg. ($0.90-1.00/ pound). The element of unreliability in supply of the vital chilled pork market may drive buyers to turn to pork from domestic and competitors’ sources. Domestic hog carcass prices are currently low. The Japanese government has not released official October import figures but estimates that October pork imports will total 40,200 mt, 25 percent less than last October and chilled pork imports are estimated at 27 percent lower, 13,700 mt. Prior to the strike, the most recent Japanese pork import figures (September) showed a 132 percent increase in pork imports (48,666 metric tons (mt)) compared to the same month in 2001. The U.S. captured the largest market share (32 percent) with 15,609 mt, 17.0 percent higher than September 2001. Imports of U.S. chilled pork, were 150.9 percent higher at 5,643 mt.

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