JAPAN DATA: January chicken meat imports rise 5% on month on strong Brazilian supply

Japan's chicken meat imports totaled 47,446 mt in January, up 5% month over month but down 4% year over year, data from the Japanese Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corp. showed.

Brazil continued to be the primary supplier, providing 34,034 mt, or 72% of the total imports, up 9% from the previous month but down 9% from a year ago, amid seasonal demand shifts.

Conversely, imports from Thailand and the US were 12,793 mt (27%) and 577 mt (1%), respectively, increasing 10% and 28% year over year, but declining 5% and 3% from December 2024.

All January imports consisted entirely of frozen chicken meat. Within the frozen chicken category, 45,652 mt, or 96% of January imports, fell under "others," which includes boneless legs. Additionally, 1,068 mt (2%) were categorized as "not cut in pieces," while 725 mt (2%) were "legs bone-in."

Source: Japanese Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation

Ending stocks

The estimated ending stocks for January were reported at 150,059 mt, reflecting a 5% year-on-year increase and a 1% increase from December 2024, according to ALIC data. Of this total, 126,238 mt (84%) were attributed to imported chicken meat, while domestic production accounted for 23,821 mt (16%).

Source: Japanese Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation