Japan's Beef Imports from TPP Members Surge in Jan

Tokyo, Feb. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's beef imports from four partner countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement surged about 50 pct in January from a year earlier, government data showed Wednesday. The increase, apparently reflecting tariff reductions under the TPP, puts competitive pressure on Japanese farmers. The pact took effect in Japan and five other countries on Dec. 30 last year. Of the five, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada and Australia export beef to Japan. Japan imported around 33,000 tons of beef from the four nations in January, against some 21,000 tons a year before, according to the data from the Finance Ministry. Pork imports rose only slightly, indicating a smaller impact from the TPP than for beef. END