Chicken meat and offal market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese chicken meat and offal market expanded from 2 800 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2 965 thousand tonnes in 2023. The initial growth phase was supported by the market's recovery from the 2017 avian influenza outbreaks, which had previously dampened demand. This recovery accelerated in 2020 when household consumption surged during the COVID-19 state of emergency, with purchase volumes rising significantly above the five-year average.

Market volume reached 2 958 thousand tonnes in 2021. The following year saw a minor correction to 2 943 thousand tonnes, coinciding with high domestic wholesale prices fueled by soaring feed costs, substitution demand linked to African swine fever, and broader inflationary pressures. These cost factors were compounded by outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza that led to flock culling, potentially affecting domestic supply stability.

In 2023, the market volume recovered to 2 965 thousand tonnes. Production was on track to reach a record high, bolstered by steady overseas demand for Japanese chicken products. Consumer prices remained elevated due to persistent inflation and high input costs. By 2024, a notable shift in purchasing patterns emerged, with consumers buying larger quantities of chicken per shopping trip.

Production chicken meat and offal in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan ranked as the world's eighth-largest producer of chicken meat and offal.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

Japan's production of chicken meat and offal grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 2 368 K t, marking a slight increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of chicken meat and offal production in Japan continued to climb for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 5 270 M $ US, up 15.5% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, production increased by 26.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Japan's export volume of chicken meat and offal stood at 5.3 K t, a sharp decline of 46.4% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 45.1%, with an annualized decrease of 18.1%. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 9.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Japan's exports of chicken meat and offal in volume terms were primarily directed to Hong Kong and Cambodia, which together accounted for 91.2% of total flows, while other destinations played a minor role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Japan exported 12 M $ US worth of chicken meat and offal in 2021, down 39.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 34.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 19 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.6% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong and Cambodia together absorbed 92.7% of Japan's total export value for chicken meat and offal, with the remainder spread across smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports chicken meat and offal to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Japan imported 595.8 K t of chicken meat and offal in 2021, an 11.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 535.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Brazil was the main source for Japan's imports of chicken meat and offal in volume terms, accounting for 73.4% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's import value of chicken meat and offal reached 1 200 M $ US, a 9.2% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 099 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 245 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with an 11.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil and Thailand dominated Japan's imports of chicken meat and offal in value terms, together representing 97.2% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021