Japan’s beef imports in August 2025 fell 7.9% month-on-month (MOM) at 43,221 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.
Inbound shipments dropped 3,720 mt from the prior month, with weaker volumes noted across all key suppliers such as from Australia, the United States (US), Canada and New Zealand.
Despite holding the title as world’s third-largest beef importer, imports declined a sharp 11.6% or 5,663 mt from a year ago as bloated inventories and slow turnover continued to weigh on import capacity.
In the first eight months of 2025, Japan imported a total of 328,874 mt of beef, down 11.7% or 43,331 mt amid low consumption and macroeconomic weakness.
Domestic demand stayed soft as households wrestled with high food costs and a weak yen. Japan’s “rice crisis,” from poor harvests and rising input costs, pushed staple prices higher and squeezed household budgets, weighing on red meat consumption.
High inventories capped near-term buying and kept downward pressure on prices. Broader macroeconomic headwinds further dampened beef demand across the country of 124.5 million people.
Japan’s inventory of imported beef rose to a 9-month high, at 141,821 mt at the end of July 2025, according to the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC). Inventories firmed for the fourth month straight, rising another 2.4% from June (+3,287 mt) and stood 0.8% (+3,190 mt) above year-ago levels.
Volumes breakdown by key suppliers:
Australia took the top spot as Japan’s largest beef imports in July 2025 with 22,085 mt, taking a 51.1% share. Shipments dipped 0.8% from July, down 182 mt.
Year-on-year (YoY), volumes slipped just 582 mt or 2.6%. The lead over the US widened to 7,180 mt, the widest gap since July 2024, with Australia occupying the top spot for 27 consecutive months.
Imports from the world’s largest beef producer, the US were down 15.4% MoM or 2,718 mt at 14,905 mt. Market share has since shrunk to 34.5% amid low production.
On a yearly basis, volumes slumped 12.4% (-2,106 mt), in line with other key suppliers.
Volumes from Canada overtook New Zealand in August, with Japan taking in 2,667 mt from Canada and 2,413 mt from New Zealand. Among smaller suppliers, shipments from Mexico and Uruguay totaled 597 mt and 481 mt respectively.
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Image source: Adobe
Co-authored by:
Joe Muldowney
Expana
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Bill Smith
Expana
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Written by Junie Lin
