USDA FAS report shows pork remains a resilient staple in Japan’s evolving food economy
Japan’s pork industry is expected to remain stable through 2025, according to the latest USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Livestock and Products Semi-Annual Report. Despite inflationary pressures and logistical challenges, producers are holding firm with stable slaughter levels and carcass weights keeping production on track.
Key Highlights:
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🐖 Steady Production: Sow numbers dipped slightly in 2024, but carcass prices remain strong and no major disease outbreaks were reported—allowing producers to stay profitable despite high feed costs.
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📉 Imports Decline: Pork imports are forecast to decrease slightly due to high 2024 ending stocks and ongoing issues with cold storage capacity and truck driver shortages.
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🌍 Brazilian Pork Surges: Imports of frozen pork from Brazil jumped 124% year-over-year, while chilled and processed pork imports declined amid changing consumer habits and inflation.
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🛒 Pork Still Dominates Retail: Per capita retail pork consumption held steady at 7.6 kg in 2023 and 2024, with consumers leaning into affordable cuts while maintaining volume.
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🍜 Foodservice Strength: Pork sales in Chinese restaurants surged 11%, outpacing the sector’s average and further cementing pork’s popularity in dining out.
“Even with cost-conscious consumers, pork remains Japan’s go-to protein—accessible, versatile, and dependable.”
As 2025 progresses, pork’s stronghold in Japanese diets looks secure. With retail resilience and foodservice momentum, the protein continues to adapt and thrive in one of the world’s most discerning markets.
