Japan's beef exports reached 909 tonnes in 2013, up 5.3% from 2012 and the highest annual total on record, according to data from Japan's Ministry of Finance.

Meat and Livestock Australia analysts said that while the Japanese volume in the global beef trade context is extremely small, with a value of JPY6,437 (US$63) per kilogramme, the country's commitment to develop high quality beef is attracting attention in the international trade.

Japanese beef exports, mainly high value Wagyu beef, have had challenges over the years, including an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2010 and the 2011 radioactive contamination after the March 11 earthquake.

However, during 2012 and 2013, substantial efforts and investments by the Japanese government, regional authorities and producers, saw a strong recovery in export volumes.

In 2013, exports to Hong Kong grew 6% on-year to 282 tonnes, while shipments to the US, Singapore and Thailand also increased to 105 tonnes, up 279%, 86 tonnes, up 41% and 34 tonnes, up 185%, respectively.

Due to the tightening of China's 'grey channel', shipments to Cambodia and Laos fell in 2013.

Some of Japan's other export markets include Canada, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh. Japan's Nikkei reported this month that the Japanese and Indonesian governments are working together to allow imports of Japanese beef into Indonesia.