Japan increased imports of beef from Canada

This spring, Japan increased beef imports from CANADA due to increased retail demand and expectations that beef imports from America will be limited.

Japanese beef consumption remains relatively stable year-on-year, with catering sales expected to remain weak in the first half of 2021. Japan's total beef imports in March were 54,200 tons, down 4% from the previous year. Imports from Canada reached 5,600 tons, up 59% year-over-year and 48% up from the previous month.

Beef retail sales remain stable

The Japan Supermarket Association announced that sales of MEAT and poultry products in April were down 9.9% from a year earlier, but up 8.4% from the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID). Sales of beef products were relatively stable compared to pork and poultry products, and there were no shortages of beef products.

The catering sector continues to recover

The Japan Catering Association announced that restaurant sales rose 36.7% in April from a year earlier, but were down 19.5% from the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID). Takeaway and delivery orders continued to partially offset reduced sales in the food service sector. Western fast food restaurants (hamburgers and pizza) have proliferated.

Overall beef sales up

Stocks of imported beef decreased 9.6% at the end of March from a year earlier, according to the Agriculture and Livestock Corporation. Total beef sales (domestic and imported) in March are estimated to have increased by 19.6%. Wholesale prices for beef have doubled compared to the same period last year due to increased demand from other Asian markets.