Pork imports to Japan fell by 6%

Japan reduced its total pork imports by 6% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year. Japanese imports of pork, including by-products, totaled 244,800 tons, with Spain, Mexico and the United States being the most affected suppliers of pork in this market. US pork exports to Japan fell 9% to 89,000 tons. Meanwhile shipments from Denmark and Canada rose by 12% and 5% respectively, although this was not enough to outweigh losses from other suppliers.

In terms of product mix, imports of fresh pork increased by 2% year-on-year, while frozen (-9%), processed (-15%) and offal (-20%) decreased. According to industry reports, fresh pork is typically sold through retail outlets, while frozen pork is sold through food service outlets. As such, the disruption to the food service sector as a result of COVID-19 seems to have shifted demand from frozen pork to fresh/chilled pork. However, this was not enough to increase import demand in general.

In 2021, the USDA expects Japan's pork consumption to remain relatively stable at last year's levels, with food service sales expected to remain weak in the first half of 2021. This, combined with high domestic production, is expected to limit imports in 2021. "Overall, imports will grow by just 1% by 2020," said Bronwyn Magee, AHDB Analyst Trainee.