Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese horse, donkey, and mule meat market volume saw a slight increase to 9 934 t in 2019, amid preparations for a major regulatory overhaul. The Wholesale Market Law was amended in June 2018, with implementation set for June 2020, aiming to reform fresh food distribution. This period was also characterized by a long-term decline in domestic production since the 1970s. The market then contracted to 8 671 t in 2020 as the revised law took effect, coinciding with the relocation to the Toyosu market, which introduced significant operational changes to the supply chain.

Market volume recovered to 8 965 t in 2021, driven by the expansion of imports from Mongolia, where meat processed at local contract plants was increasingly shipped to Japan. The direct-to-consumer sales sector grew, intensifying competition. A strong surge followed in 2022, with the market reaching 10 475 t. This growth was fueled by rising demand for new products and pet horse meat in e-commerce, the opening of an unmanned horse meat store in Sapporo, and efforts by Kumamoto Prefecture to promote domestic meat through DNA testing and certification systems.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 8 782 t, moving back toward levels seen earlier in the period.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan maintained the 23rd position globally in terms of horse, donkey, and mule meat production volume.

Top producers of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 4 551 tonnes of horse, donkey, and mule meat, representing a 13.1% year-on-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 18.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 1.9%.

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

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Japan

Based on desk research, Japan did not export any horse, donkey, or mule meat between 2018 and 2021.

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of horse, donkey, and mule meat to Japan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 4 414 tonnes, marking a 5.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 832 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 20.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 1.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Japan's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in volume terms were Canada (45.1% of imports), Argentina (18.3% of imports), and Poland (12.9% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.3% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat to Japan in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, Japan imported 34 137 thousand US dollars worth of this meat, down by 2.4% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 47 711 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 26.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 2.3%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the key partners for Japan's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms were Canada (49.0% of imports), Argentina (17.2% of imports), and Poland (14.4% of imports). Collectively, these three countries represented 80.6% of total import flows.

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

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