Japanese increase protein consumption with chicken

Thursday, October 10, 2013

For the first time on record, chicken consumption per capita has surpassed pork in Japan, one of Canada's favourite, well-established overseas markets. This is according to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Both pork and beef consumption slipped about 100 grams per person each between April 2012 and March 2013 – to 11.8 and 5.9 kilograms per person.

The publication Meat and Livestock Australia, which reported the consumption shift, notes that "Japanese consumer preferences for low-cost products, along with an increase in domestic poultry production" underpinned the poultry increase.

Overall, however, total per capita meat consumption in Japan is on the rise to 30 kilograms per person – "the highest on record" – while seafood consumption eased 100 grams also to 28.5 kilograms.  

It looks like meat might benefit in the long run as seafood becomes less plentiful and more expensive. BP