October 20, 2008

Consumers in Japan may prefer chicken over beef or seafood as a cheaper alternative, but the protein is rapidly becoming less affordable due to rising costs and strong demand.

In August, the average Japanese household bought 3.32 kg of fresh meat for JPY 5,259, up 3 percent and 6 percent on-year, respectively, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan.

Chicken purchase increased 2 percent on-year to 0.92 kg per household, while expenditure per household soared 15 percent to JPY 941.

In comparison, beef remained unchanged both in expenditure and purchase volume at JPY 1,848 and 0.61 kg per household, respectively. Spending on fresh seafood fell 5 percent to JPY 2,773 per household, while volume also declined 5 percent to 2.77 kg.

US$1 = JPY 101.724 (October 20, 2008)