February 11, 2011

Japan's 2010 farm, forestry, seafood exports rise 11%

Japan's 2010 farm, forestry and seafood exports rose for the first time in three years, rising 10.5% on-year to JPY492.1 billion (US$5.90 billion), with strong demand for seafood in China, the farm ministry said Thursday (Feb 10).

Exports of beef fell 9.9% to around JPY3.4 billion (US$40.78 million) as shipments were halted following the outbreak of FMD in Miyazaki Prefecture, but the decline was apparently curbed partly because Hong Kong quickly lifted its ban on imports of Japanese beef.

Shipments of agricultural products increased 8.7% to JPY286.5 billion (US$3.44 billion), partly because many Chinese consumers preferred Japanese products following revelations about contaminated baby formula and other products made in China. Processed goods also sold well.

Exports of fisheries products rose 13.1% to JPY195 billion (US$2.34 billion) thanks to strong sales of salmon and trout, while forestry products increased 13.6% to JPY10.6 billion (US$127.14 million).

Hong Kong was the largest importer with JPY121 billion (US$1.45 billion) worth of Japanese products, up 22.1%, followed by Taiwan at JPY60.9 billion (US$730.43 million), up 4%, and China at JPY55.5 billion (US$665.67 million), up 19.2%.

Exports to Australia declined 2.2% to JPY5.3 billion (US$63.57 million) and those to the US fell 6.1% to JPY68.6 billion (US$822.79 million).