April pork exports to Japan were the largest in two years at 34,569 mt, up 3% from a year ago, while value increased 5% to $138.7 million, according to a recent market report from the US Meat Export Council (USMEF). 

Through April, exports to Japan remained slightly below last year’s pace at 123,042 mt, with value steady at $496.4 million. 

While the persistently weak yen continues to weigh on Japan’s demand for imported meat, domestic pork prices jumped in May, up 11% from last year, and inventories of imported pork at the end of April were down almost 15% from a year ago. 

Japanese customers have also been looking to US pork to offset limited availability from the European Union.