Market research

Pork market in Japan

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Government support for domestic pork production and swine farming from 2018 helped maintain a stable supply base. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly increased home consumption demand, which kept domestic pork prices firm. This shift in consumer behavior supported the market, with volume experiencing minor fluctuations—rising to 2 237 thousand tons in 2019, dipping to 2 196 thousand tons in 2020, and recovering to 2 220 thousand tons in 2021.

High import pork prices in 2022 strengthened demand for domestic pork, contributing to market volume growth to 2 269 thousand tons. However, in 2023, the market volume declined to 2 212 thousand tons. This coincided with a substantial surge in pork exports, which grew by 119% in value, potentially reducing the availability of product for the domestic market.

Recent years saw further market-shaping events. A ban on the sale and provision of raw pork for consumption was enforced, and import restrictions on Spanish pork were implemented in 2025 due to African swine fever outbreaks, affecting supply. Domestic pork prices reached record highs in mid-2025, reflecting these supply constraints, while national policies continued to promote agricultural export expansion.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Japan
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production pork in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Japan ranked as the 17th largest pork producer during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Japan's pork production grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 318 thousand metric tons of pork, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 0.9%. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 2.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 1 279 thousand metric tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 0.4%, while 2020 experienced the highest increase at 2.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.4%)	2.1%	0.9%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's pork production was valued at 14 365 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 13 750 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 14 722 million US dollars. The most significant increase, 7.1%, was recorded in 2020.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.2%)	7.1%	(2.4%)	1.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports pork from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's pork exports expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 1.6 thousand metric tons of pork, representing a substantial increase of 21.4% over 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 145.2%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 34.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.6%	66.0%	21.4%	34.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong was the primary destination for Japan's pork exports, accounting for 74.0% of total export volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Japan's pork export value continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 18 million US dollars, showing a notable improvement of 17.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 146.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 35.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.7%	74.1%	17.3%	35.1%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Hong Kong dominated Japan's pork exports in value terms, capturing 73.4% of total export flows, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports pork to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Japan's pork imports amounted to 903.5 thousand metric tons, which was 1.3% higher than in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 2.3%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 891.8 thousand metric tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 959.0 thousand metric tons. The largest drop, 7.0%, was in 2020, whereas 2019 saw the biggest increase of 3.7%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.7%	(7.0%)	1.3%	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States (27.5% of import volume), Canada (24.9%), and Spain (12.5%) together represented 64.8% of Japan's total pork imports, remaining the key sources for the country.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's pork import value totaled 4 448 million US dollars, showing little change from 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 634 million US dollars. The most significant decline, 4.0%, occurred in 2020, while 2019 experienced the largest increase of 5.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.2%	(4.0%)	(0.0%)	0.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States (27.3% of import value), Canada (25.0%), and Spain (12.6%) were the leading suppliers of pork to Japan in value terms, collectively accounting for 64.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io