Japanese pork imports fall

Total pig meat shipments to Japan were down slightly in the first half of this year compared with last year, with volumes totalling 567,700 tonnes, 5% lower than in 2020, AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins reported. “Lower imports have been influenced by ongoing weakness in foodservice demand due to coronavirus restrictions,” said Ms Wilkins. “This is likely to remain a challenge in the short-medium term, as Japan is currently struggling with rising cases of the Delta variant, with much of the country under a state of emergency.” The US remained the largest supplier, though volumes were 5% below last year at 208,800 tonnes for the first half of 2021. Canadian suppliers exported 125,200 tonnes of pork to Japan, up 3% on the previous year. Imports from the EU were 13% lower at 139,200 tonnes. Germany was banned late last year due to African Swine Fever cases within its borders. Imports from Spain also recorded a sharp drop of 19% to 49,900 tonnes. Other EU suppliers increased shipments and ...