After the earthquake last March, consumers temporarily gave up eating out, and rather than eat fresh meat and chicken, chose ready-to-eat meals, according to the USDA's International Egg and Poultry Review.

Also, at the start of 2011, outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu affected Mizayaki, the second largest broiler producing state, to a great degree. A large number of birds had to be culled, thereby cutting down broiler meat shipments.

As a result of the earthquake and Tsunami, the broiler industries in Tohoku and Kanto regions were also temporarily put out of action. Iwate prefecture in the Tohoku region in particular had to suffer many setbacks. Some of the major production and processing facilities of the region were reportedly destroyed and washed away by the Tsunami.

Together, Miyazaki and Iwate made up roughly 32 per cent of the total number of broilers produced in Japan. However, by summer, most hatcheries and feed manufacturing units were reported to have been restored.

Japan expects an increased availability of fresh domestically produced broiler meat, but prices are expected to be lower than last year. Higher stocks are also likely to reduce total imports in 2012.

This year, Japan is expected to remain the major market for Chinese and Thai prepared broiler products.

Further Reading

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You can view the International Egg and Poultry Review by clicking here.