The EU has become the main provider of pork to Japan, increasing its market share to 38% for the first nine months of 2014, according to BPEX.
The increase goes alongside a 13% growth in Japanese pork imports for January to September this year, which, at 619,200 tonnes, is the country’ highest nine-month figure for pork imports since 2005.
“Since the PEDv outbreak began in October 2013, Japan has reportedly lost around 360,000 pigs, up to the end of August this year, resulting in tight supplies and higher pork prices,” said BPEX. “As a direct consequence, the Japanese import requirement for pork has increased, which is reflected in the latest trade figures.”
The January to September imports total was valued at the equivalent of £1.86 billion, 17% up on last year. The EU supplied 234,400 tonnes of pork to Japan during this period, with Danish shipments rising by just over a fifth and Spanish volumes doubling.
The United States, which remains the leading individual country supplier, secured a 34% market share, almost unchanged from the previous year, but significantly down on its pre-PEDv business.