Japan’s beef imports in the first half of 2025 slumped 13.0% from a year ago at 236,712 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics. Inbound shipments by Asia’s second largest beef importer fell by 35,262 mt, with volumes down from key suppliers including Australia, the United States (US), Canada and New Zealand.
Australia led shipments with 111,440 mt, outpacing the US. Despite a production surge, annual volumes to the island nation declined 11.9%. Its market share stood at 47.1%. Imports from the US came in at 88,210 mt, falling by 7.4% YOY as lower cattle kills continued to impact beef production. Market share has since eased back to just 37.3%.
Among smaller suppliers, Canada shipped 15,590 mt to Japan, down 28.6% YOY, holding a 6.6% market share. New Zealand followed with 12,936 mt, slumping 30.8% due to reduced production, capturing just 5.5% of the market. Mexico contributed 4,813 mt.
Imports from Uruguay jumped 47.2% YOY to 2,848 mt as the country looked for lower cost options. Still, Uruguay’s share of the market remained modest at just 1.2%.
In the month of June 2025, Japan imported 42,244 mt of beef, down 12.8% from May (-6,184 mt). Compared to a year earlier, volumes were 11.2% lower, a decline of 5,314 mt. Australia remained the top supplier with 18,861 mt, followed by the US at 16,630 mt, Canada at 3,021 mt and New Zealand at 2,724 mt.
Global geopolitical uncertainty, softening domestic consumption and a weak yen have continued to curb Japan’s beef import demand. Adding to the pressure is the country’s so-called “rice crisis,” triggered by a poor harvest in 2023 and rising input costs, which have pushed up rice prices and disrupted household food budgets. As a dietary staple, the squeeze on rice supply has made meal planning costlier for consumers, dampening demand for complementary proteins like beef.
Japan’s beef consumption (customer access only) fell to a 23-year low in February 2025, with per capita intake dropping to just 134 grams, according to data from the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC).
Tourism has offered a reprieve for Japan’s foodservice sector, with the weak yen drawing more overseas visitors and supporting beef consumption at restaurants. According to Japan Tourism Statistics, the country recorded over 21.5 million arrivals in the first half, a 21.0% increase from the same period last year.
Still, the boost from inbound travel remains insufficient to counter the broader headwinds facing the domestic market of 124.5 million, despite Japan’s status as the world’s third-largest beef importer.
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Co-authored by:
Bill Smith
Expana
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Joe Muldowney
Expana
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Written by Junie Lin
