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Japan’s swine inventory at the beginning of 2026 is expected to remain almost flat from the previous year at 8,650 thousand head. While the number of hog farmers continues to decline annually due to aging farmers and the lack of successors, some major meat manufacturers are expanding the scale of their operations at company-owned farms. As a result, the number of breeding sows at the beginning of 2026 is expected to remain stable compared to the same period in the previous year, at 755 thousand head.
Pork production and slaughter in 2026 are forecast to remain unchanged from 2025 at 1,270 thousand MT CWE and 16,050 thousand head, respectively.
Pork consumption remains robust at 2,765 thousand MT CWE, driven by its affordability during inflation, with strong household and foodservice demand offsetting weaker demand for processed pork products due to price increases. Retailers are increasingly utilizing frozen imported pork to meet consumer preferences for convenience and cost savings.
Pork imports slowed in the second half of 2025 due to high inventory levels, but are expected to rebound in 2026 to meet strong domestic demand, reaching 1,480 thousand MT CWE. Frozen pork imports, particularly from Brazil, surged in 2025, while chilled pork imports declined as frozen products captured a portion of retail demand. Japan’s pork industry continues to adapt to inflationary pressures and evolving market dynamics, balancing domestic production with strategic imports to ensure stable supply. The United States is Japan’s largest source of imported pork.
September 5, 2025/ USDA/ United States.
https://apps.fas.usda.gov
