AUSTRALIAN beef producers will have to wait to learn how last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan will affect the lucrative trade.
Japan is Australia's No.1 export market for beef, with annual sales topping $1.7 billion.
Thousands of people are feared dead after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's northwest coast last Friday, triggering a 10m tsunami.
Meat and Livestock Australia this week refused to comment on the impact of the earthquake on the local beef industry.
"It is not appropriate to speculate on likely impacts on the Japanese economy or beef trade consequences while the country responds to this crisis," MLA said in a statement.
"Staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide reports as to any trade impacts as they become known."
Beef exporter Sanger Australia chief executive Richard Rains said it did not expect any major repercussions from the earthquake and no orders had been cancelled.
"It is too early to predict the direct impact but people still need to eat," Mr Rains said.
"If the Japanese people need to pay a tax or a levy to help fund disaster relief, then they may just change their spend, from a white tablecloth restaurant to a home barbecue or McDonald's.
"But we believe there will be little impact on Australia's beef market."
Mr Rains said damage to coolstores used for Australian exports could mean meat had to be moved.
Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Chris Nixon said it was too early to assess what impact the natural disaster would have on markets.
"Japan is our largest beef market by value, so you have to be concerned about anything which could have an impact on that trade," Mr Nixon said.
"The earthquake and tsunami will influence the discretionary spending of a lot of people though, but it is too early to second-guess how big the impact will be."
Australia holds a 41 per cent share of the Japanese beef market, significantly more than the 18 per cent share held by the US.
Beef is one of Australia's top three exports to Japan, behind coal and iron ore and concentrates.
Japan also buys sheep meat but is not a big player in the market.
The industry still sold almost 7700 tonnes of lamb to Japan last year, worth $62 million, and 3800 tonnes of mutton, worth $24 million.
Japanese beef wholesalers
Source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
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