|
|
|
|
|
Report
No.230804 |
|
|
|
|
- International - |
|
|
Feeder Calves Import Accelerates to 23,000 heads in 2005 The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) survey revealed that there were more than 23,000 live feeder calves imported in 2005. This represents a 17% increase over the previous year and the figure is nearing the high level recorded just prior to beef import liberalization in 1991. The main import source, Australia, supplied 90% of Japanese import. Many are the cross-breeds of Aberdeen Angus and black-haired Japanese Wagyu cattle. The cross-breeds are backgrounded for 9 - 11 months in Australia and then shipped to Japan. The number imported maintained the order of 20 thousand for three year in succession since 2003. In 2005, the number was 23,376 heads. This is the second time round when import of the order of 20 thousand continued for a plural number of years and this follows the period of 1986 - 1992 which was around the time of beef import liberalization. Cattle trades that handle imported feeders say that "import is sought after as an alternative to domestic calves because prices here are high and the number does not increase." The state of the market these days is such that it cost more than 500 thousand yen per head to purchase a black-haired Wagyu, more than 300 thousand yen for the cross-breeds and more than 100 thousand yen even for Holstein calves. This is because many in the cattle breeding business, the source of calves supply, are leaving due to aging and those remaining in business can not expand their operation any faster to seize the opportunity. On top of it the chances are that supply of calves may further shrink because some dairy areas decided to cull the milk cow numbers in light of the staggering milk prices. Such a perspective only adds to activating the search for calves at overseas sources. Yet, even in Australia, the main source of supply, prices of calves are showing signs of upward movement, reflecting the positive attitude of local feeders to introduce more. Additionally, the depreciation of yen in the foreign exchange market is not helping but rather pushing up the import prices. A price of 200 thousand yen for import calf is appearing, a level rarely seen so far. |
||
|
|
||
 |
 |