Japan increased its beef imports from Canada by 59%

This spring, Japan increased its beef imports from Canada due to increased retail demand and expectations that US beef imports will be limited. Japanese beef consumption remains relatively stable compared to last year, with catering sales expected to remain weak in the first half of 2021. Total beef imports to Japan in March were 54,200 tonnes, 4% less than in the previous year. Imports from Canada reached 5,600 tons, 59% more than in the same period last year and 48% compared to the previous month. The Japan Supermarket Association announced that sales of meat and poultry products in April were down 9.9% from a year earlier, but increased by 8.4% compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID). The sale of beef products was relatively stable compared to pork and poultry products, and for beef there were no deficit items. The Japan Food Service Association announced that restaurant sales in April were up 36.7% from a year earlier, but were down 19.5% compared to the same period in ...