Why Does Imported Beef Keep Increasing? Our Dining Tables and the Hidden Challenge of 'Feed'

Hello everyone!
I'm Gone-neko, sharing 'a little bit of useful livestock' information on note.

When you peek into the meat section of a supermarket,
next to the vibrant 'Wagyu' or 'domestic beef',
it has become a common sight to see more affordable
'Australian' or 'American' beef lined up.

While feeling that 'cheaper meat is definitely helpful',
you might also wonder,
'Why is there so much imported beef?'
or 'Is Japan's livestock industry okay?'

The answer doesn't seem to be as simple as
'just because consumers want cheap beef'.
Looking at the data, a larger structure
that concerns the foundation of our dietary habits becomes visible.

Unceasing Beef Demand, Flat Domestic Production

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
Japan's domestic beef production has remained stable and flat for the past 20 years,
thanks to the tremendous efforts of farmers.

However, what we should pay attention to is our consumption.
In fact, even with the progress of a declining birthrate and aging population, beef consumption per capita in Japan
has not decreased in the long term; rather, it is on an upward trend.

Considering that the consumption of rice and fish has dropped significantly over these 20 years,
we can see how deeply beef has become established in our dietary habits.

In other words,
the current situation is that imported beef is filling the gap
created between 'stable domestic production'
and 'firm, or even increasing, beef demand'.

Rather than imported beef unilaterally stealing market share from domestic beef,
it might be said that it is a structure where it supports the overall robust beef demand
together with domestic production.

The Leap of the Livestock Industry and the 'Fragility' at Its Foundation

The livestock industry, including beef, is now an important pillar of Japanese agriculture.
Looking at the total agricultural output, while the output of rice has decreased over the last decade,
livestock has increased by over 1 trillion yen,
powerfully driving Japanese agriculture.

However, behind this powerful growth,
there is a major challenge that cannot be overlooked.
That is,
the reality that we rely on imports from overseas for much of the 'feed' that livestock eat
.

Domestic producers are suffering not only from carcass prices and calf prices,
but also from soaring feed costs.
If this feed could no longer be imported due to heightened international tensions, poor harvests,
or disruptions in transport routes, what would happen?

The meat lined up on our dining tables
is not just the 'beef' itself coming from overseas.
Even for domestic beef cattle, pigs, and chickens,
we are dependent on imports for the feed that is the source of their growth.

One could say that the domestic livestock industry
is barely standing on a foundation of imported feed.

When this foundation shakes,
the possibility that our meat culture itself could be in crisis
is by no means zero.

What We Should Think About for the Future of Our Dining Tables

There is no doubt that beef demand is strong
and that it is a field where growth can be expected.

However, in a Japan where the population is shrinking and prices continue to rise,
simply calling for people to 'eat more meat'
is unlikely to resonate with consumers.

When considering the future of the beef industry,
and by extension, Japan's entire food supply,
we must understand the role of imports in supporting a stable supply of beef,
while also turning our attention to the 'Achilles' heel' of feed that lies behind it.

From the perspective of food security,
how can we strengthen our domestic feed base?
And how can we create an environment
where producers can continue to farm sustainably?

The next time you pick up some beef, why not take a moment to think not only about its value and deliciousness,
but also about the long journey that meat took to reach our tables,
and the challenges that lie in the background?