Items such as briskets and trimmings have increased in value faster than others, largely due to short supply. Cow meat 85CL averaged 480 yen/kg, up 30 yen/kg from a month ago and the highest since October 2008.

Frozen briskets have also been in strong demand, averaging 530 yen/kg for Australian navel-end (30 yen/kg higher than last month) this week.

In the beef export market, the trading environment was similar to last week – strong interest from Japan and a limited supply of products (particularly frozen). CL items attracted firm bids from Japanese, domestic and US buyers, resulting in a lift in export prices.