Browse Data and Analysis

In 2025, beginning inventories and beef production declined due to the increased pace of slaughter in 2024. Beef consumption remains weak due to inflation, with a shift toward less expensive proteins such as pork.

On December 17, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) invited public comments on a revision to the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for Chicken Eggs and Meat by Sustainable System.

FAS/Tokyo projects that Japan's fluid milk production will decline in 2025, primarily due to a decrease in the milking cow population anticipated from 2024.

FAS/Tokyo forecasts cattle inventory expands in 2025 on greater cow beginning stocks and a moderate pace of slaughtering from 2024.

FAS/Tokyo projects that in 2024 as well as 2025 Japan’s annual poultry production will expand to meet strong demand for domestically produced chicken.

On June 26, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries affirmed that it would increase the tariff-rate quota volumes for butter to 14,000 MT, but would leave non-fat dry milk (NFDM) unchanged at 750 MT.

The 2023 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2023 calendar year.

FAS/Tokyo projects Japan’s beef production in 2024 will be almost flat from 2023 because fewer cows will be culled now that milk production has dropped enough to match demand.

On September 29, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, and Fisheries reaffirmed its January announcement that for Japanese fiscal year (JFY) 2023 tariff rate quota volumes for butter would increase to 10,320 MT, but would remain at 750 MT for non...

Fluid milk production will drop slightly in 2024 as the number of cows in milk decreases. Tourism stimulated by foreign visitors will boost demand for dairy products in the foodservice industries, which will offset the dip in retail sales. Japan’s...

FAS/Tokyo forecasts Japan’s chicken production will rise in 2024 to meet strong demand led by tourist consumption in the foodservice sector. Increased chicken imports are needed to replenish depleted 2023 ending stocks.

FAS/Tokyo forecasts a drop in 2024 cattle inventory on greater slaughtering of dairy cows, slower calf production, and no live cattle imports in 2023 and 2024.