July 27, 2012

Japanese cattle numbers decline 1.6% on-year

Japan's cattle industry continues to be affected by high feed costs, subdued carcase prices and food safety issues, with herd numbers declining 1.6% on-year, to 4.13 million head as of June 30, 2012.

Holstein (for both dairy and beef) and Japanese Black Wagyu numbers eased by 2.5% and 2% on-year, to 1.81 million head and 1.73 million head, respectively. Slaughter numbers for these categories in 2012 have been up compared with 2011.

Looking forward, forecasts by the Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation suggest that total beef production during July and August this year will increase, compared with the low volumes in 2011 (due to the radioactive contamination issues and subsequent decline in slaughter numbers).

The sustained tough trading conditions in the Japanese cattle industry have already reduced farm numbers to 65,200 as at February 1, 2012, down 6% on-year.