Abstract
Japan’s beef cattle livestock statistics indicate that the total number of cattle will reach 2.69 million in 2023, a record high. The number of households raising beef cattle and the number of cattle per household are also increasing, indicating the expansion of the beef cattle industry. The background to this growth includes an increase in demand for beef cattle and improvements in production technology. In addition, improvements in the breeding environment and management methods for beef cattle are thought to be contributing to an increase in the number of cattle raised per household. These trends suggest that the beef cattle industry continues to experience stable growth.
Number of raising beef cattle
Looking back at Japan’s beef cattle farming statistics, various characteristics can be seen between 1960 and 2023. At its peak in 1994, 2.97 million head were recorded nationwide, but the population has been on a downward trend since then. The current total number of cattle is 90.4% of its peak, which is thought to be due to changes in demand, production methods, and market trends. Additionally, the recent trend of growing health consciousness and environmental concerns has led to a decrease in meat consumption and an increase in demand for alternative proteins, which may also be a factor. In this climate, the beef cattle industry is adapting to meet demand while working to improve sustainability and efficiency.
The maximum is the latest one, 260Animal of Hokkaido
Number of raising beef cattle (prefectures, latest year)
Looking at Japan’s beef cattle livestock statistics for 2023, Hokkaido will reach its peak, recording the highest number of cattle overall at 566,000 head. These figures show that Hokkaido is a major region for beef cattle production. Hokkaido has vast land and abundant feed resources, making it an ideal environment for livestock farming. Additionally, as demand for beef cattle has increased, it is likely that producers in Hokkaido have been working to improve production techniques and management efficiency. Furthermore, Hokkaido beef is of high quality and highly trusted by consumers, which is also contributing to increased demand. As a result of these circumstances, beef cattle production in Hokkaido is stable and is expected to continue to play an important role in the local economy and food self-sufficiency.
The maximum is 260Animal of Hokkaido, the average is 92.2Animal, and the total is 4.33kAnimal
Number of households raising beef cattle
Looking back at Japan’s beef cattle farming statistics, in 1960 the total number of households raising cattle was 2.03 million, with the average being 364,000. This indicates that beef cattle were widely dispersed. It was a time when livestock farming was carried out locally and most farmers kept only a small number of animals. The total figure of 5.74 million households also reflects the diversity of farms and the small scale of beef production at the time. During this period, subsistence agriculture was the norm, and livestock farming characteristics varied from region to region. As the economy grew and urbanization progressed, and agriculture became more modern and expanded in scale, the number of livestock households changed.
The maximum is the latest one, 260Animal of Hokkaido
Number of animals kept per household
The statistics for the number of adult chickens in Japanese agriculture in 2022, by farm size, ranging from 100,000 to 499,999, are noteworthy. The number of birds kept nationwide reached a peak of 60.4 million, the highest figure to date. This figure suggests that medium-sized livestock farmers are focusing on chicken rearing. The 100,000-499,999 bird scale, while relatively small compared to the large scale, has a significant market share. Farms of this size play an important role in the local economy as they have the flexibility to adjust production to meet local demand. Farms of this size also strive for both productivity and quality, including sustainable agricultural practices and adherence to hygiene standards. The efforts of these medium-scale farms are contributing to the stability of the supply of chicken meat and eggs in Japan and improving their quality. Going forward, the growth and support of medium-scale farmers will likely remain essential for the sustainability and development of agriculture in Japan.
The maximum is the latest one, 260Animal of Hokkaido
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