Japan pork demand to hold steady in 2027 on price edge over beef

Retailers and restaurants turn to pork as beef stays costly

The US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Tokyo expects pork to remain a cost-competitive animal protein in both retail and foodservice in Japan, with consumption in 2027 holding steady with the previous year. FAS said the outlook comes against a backdrop of persistently high beef prices.

According to household expenses statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIAC), household pork purchases in the first half of 2026 rose 3% from the same period a year earlier. Pork remains more expensive than chicken, but consumers still view it as worth buying, even amid price increases, to add variety to daily meals.

In the foodservice sector, operators are trying to curb rises in menu prices, including by devising menus that substitute pork for beef.