March 18, 2011

Japan's livestock industry affected by massive quake

Japan Tohoku's livestock industry which is famous for its production of beef, pork, poultry and mixed feed, is badly affected by the recent massive quake.

There are a number of meat processing and food manufacturing plants in the region, which supply to neighbouring prefectures including Tokyo. As supplies of water, electricity and fuel to the region remain difficult, the Japanese trade foresees a significant disruption to businesses in the near future.

In the meantime, major retailers in Japan have transported some food items to Tokyo and the Tohoku region, from western Japan where the quake impacts were limited. Among major meat categories, poultry supplies are causing most concerns among the trade, on the back of the supply disruption from Iwate as well as the recent outbreak of the avian influenza in other major poultry producing prefectures.