Sheep and goat meat market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the sheep and goat meat market in Japan contracted from 25,015 t to 19,871 t. The resumption of U.S. lamb imports in August 2018 and steady demand for halal food initially supported import volumes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced the number of new retail store openings, potentially limiting product accessibility. Concurrently, the strengthening of origin labeling requirements under amended food labeling standards, introduced in 2018, created regulatory uncertainty until the grace period ended in March 2022.

The market expanded to 22,953 t in 2022, driven by growth in the canned lamb segment fueled by rising incomes and urbanization, which boosted overall meat consumption. The acquisition of an Australian lamb processor by Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) and Minerva S.A. also reinforced supply chains. In 2023, the market volume dropped to 19,480 t, likely due to increased global lamb demand that raised exports from key supplier Australia, applying pressure on availability and prices for the Japanese market.

Throughout the period, structural shifts included the entry of GOODGOOD with a platform for domestic lamb promoting ethical meat, while advancing regulations and technology for cultured meat created potential competition. Consumer preferences also shifted toward healthier options, with attention to fat quality in lamb.

Production sheep and goat meat in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, Japan's sheep and goat meat production rebounded in 2021. The country produced 475.1 t of sheep and goat meat that year, marking a significant 11.0% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader 2018-2021 period, production grew by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 428.1 t, which also saw the steepest decline of 2.8% during this timeframe.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Japan

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's sheep and goat meat exports were almost exclusively directed to Hong Kong, which accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes throughout this period.

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

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong was the sole destination for Japan's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, capturing 100.0% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 19 421 t that year, representing a moderate decrease of 9.3% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 20.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Australia and New Zealand together supplied 97.9% of Japan's sheep and goat meat imports by volume. Australia accounted for 63.8% of total imports, while New Zealand contributed 34.1%, with other partners making up the remaining share.

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

Following two years of contraction, Japan's sheep and goat meat imports showed a modest recovery in 2021. Import value reached 193.3 M $ US that year, reflecting a slight increase of 1.8% compared to 2020. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 189.9 M $ US, while the most substantial drop occurred in 2019 with a 3.4% decrease.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia and New Zealand dominated Japan's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 97.9% of total import expenditure. Other destinations had relatively minor individual shares during this period.

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

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