Japan: pork imports to shrink

By Hannah Clarke

For the first three months of 2020, Japan’s imports of fresh and frozen pork totalled 207,100 tonnes, down 2% (5,100 tonnes) on the same period last year.

Volumes from key suppliers including the US, Canada, Mexico and to a lesser extent Spain, were all higher year-on-year. A notable rise in imports also came from Brazil. However, lower imports from many European countries, namely Denmark, outweighed this.

Relatively high Japanese pork stocks from 2019 and higher pig slaughter during the first quarter of the year may have influenced import volumes. According to industry consultants Gira, the country had also increased meat production in anticipation of the (now postponed) Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games.

Japan is currently in the peak phase of COVID-19 (along with Europe, the US and Canada), and like others is facing supply chain disruption as foodservice demand remains heavily weakened, according to Rabobank. Consumers are cooking more at home, and are avoiding premium proteins and cuts in favour of cheaper alternatives. This has benefitted pork, being a staple in Japanese cooking.

Looking ahead, Gira expect that Japan’s pork imports during 2020 will be 4% lower year-on-year, mostly due to weaker foodservice demand and suppressed tourism. Imports are expected to recover slightly in 2021, helped by an anticipated economic boost from the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic games.

Flows of product from key suppliers like the US will likely depend on how the COVID-19 pandemic affects their supply chains. We have summarised the latest developments in key global meat-producing nations here.

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