Japan: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in Japan

The Japanese pork market rose slightly to $X in 2022, surging by 4.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Pork Production in Japan

In value terms, pork production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 10%. Pork production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average pork yield in Japan totaled X kg per head, remaining stable against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 0.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average pork yield attained the maximum level at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for pork production in Japan declined slightly to X heads, standing approx. at 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 2.3% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for pork production peaked at X heads in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Pork Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of pork, when their volume decreased by -10.3% to X tons. In general, exports, however, saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 73% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, pork exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 85% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Hong Kong SAR (X tons) was the main destination for pork exports from Japan, with a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, pork exports to Hong Kong SAR exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Singapore (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Hong Kong SAR stood at +22.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Singapore (+30.2% per year) and Macao SAR (+80.2% per year).

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) remains the key foreign market for pork exports from Japan, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Singapore ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Hong Kong SAR stood at +17.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Singapore (+24.7% per year) and Macao SAR (+64.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average pork export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -9.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 7.9%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Macao SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Pork Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, approx. X tons of pork were imported into Japan; increasing by 8.2% on 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, pork imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 19%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of pork imports to Japan, together comprising 65% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest pork suppliers to Japan were the United States ($X), Canada ($X) and Spain ($X), with a combined 65% share of total imports.

Spain, with a CAGR of +15.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average pork import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -12.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 8.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Canada ($X per ton) and Mexico ($X per ton), while the price for Chile ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (-3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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