Japanese beef exports climb to a new peak for the second consecutive year
Japan has set an ambitious target for beef exports, aiming for a 36.4% increase from the value achieved in 2024. The Japanese government has strategies in place for expanding exports of agricultural and other products, but specific details about these strategies for beef exports remain undisclosed.
In 2024, Japan exported beef worth ¥64.8 billion, a 12% year-on-year increase. The value of beef exports in the first five months of 2025 reached ¥26.6 billion, marking a 15% increase over the same period the previous year. However, the current status of Japan's beef exports in comparison to the target for 2030 remains unknown.
The United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong accounted for a significant portion of Japan's beef exports in terms of both value and volume in 2024. No specific information about beef exports to other countries was provided, apart from the United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, in relation to the target for 2030.
The target for beef exports in 2030 represents a 5.1 times increase from the total in 2019. The value of Japan's beef exports in 2024 was 2.2 times greater than the total in 2019.
The largest consumers of Japanese Wagyu beef in 2025 include the United States, Malaysia, China (resuming imports after a hiatus), Japan itself, Australia, and the UK. Malaysia set an ASEAN record for the largest annual volume of Japanese Wagyu imports in 2025 with around 192,000kg, reflecting strong domestic demand and import volume.
The United States remains a major market for Wagyu beef, with demand strong in upscale steakhouses and among gourmet consumers. Local Wagyu breeding programs also supplement imports. China is expected to drive up Chinese consumption significantly after resuming imports in 2025. Japan continues steady domestic consumption while increasing exports, and Australia and the UK remain significant markets internationally as part of the global Wagyu consumer base.
No information about the impact of these increased exports on Japan's domestic beef market was provided. Similarly, no information about the types of beef products targeted for export was given.
As Japan strives to meet its beef export target, it continues to be a significant player in the global Wagyu market, with the United States, Malaysia, China, Japan, Australia, and the UK being the main large consumers of Japanese Wagyu beef in 2025. China, with its resumed imports, is poised for growth in the coming years.
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- Despite Japan's ambition to increase beef exports, specific details about the types of beef products targeted for export remain undisclosed, leaving questions about its potential impact on Japan's domestic culture and photojournalism industry, as export strategies might influence domestic production and pricing.
- The global finance industry could witness significant shifts as Japan aims to increase beef exports, especially considering the projected growth in Chinese consumption, which could lead to changes in trade relationships and financial transactions involving agricultural products.
