Japan's struggling dairy farmers shift to wagyu, despite lean market

Influx of new breeders risks undercutting prices further as supply grows

20240826N Wagyu calves

Prices for wagyu calves are falling in Japan as more dairy farmers get into the business. (Photo by Takahiro Kaneko)

HISASHI TSUTSUI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Even with prices of Japanese wagyu beef at their lowest levels in years, dairy farmers are entering the wagyu breeding business to stay above water.

Wagyu calves from Japanese Black cattle averaged 1,790 yen ($12.38) per kilogram through July in fiscal 2024, according to the Tokyo-headquartered Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corp. This was down 29% from fiscal 2021, echoing the drop-off in wholesale wagyu prices.

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