Global Wagyu Exports Hit Record High as International Appetite Grows

Japanese wagyu exports reached a record 6,200 tonnes in the fiscal year ending March 2025, according to figures released by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — a 34% increase over the previous year and more than triple the export volume of five years ago.

The surge is being driven by a combination of factors: a weakened yen making Japanese exports more competitive, growing affluence in key markets, and — perhaps most significantly — the mainstreaming of wagyu as a category in high-end restaurants worldwide.

North America remains the largest single export destination, accounting for 38% of total volume. But the fastest growth is coming from the Middle East, where wagyu exports grew by 62% year-on-year, driven by demand from premium hotel restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh.

The industry association has responded by tightening certification requirements for exported beef, requiring full traceability documentation from birth certificate to export certificate. "We have to protect the brand globally," said association chairman Yoshio Tanaka. "The reputation of Japanese wagyu has taken decades to build. We will not allow it to be diluted."

The record exports have also prompted domestic debate about supply and quality. Several regional producers have raised concerns that rapid export growth could put pressure on domestic supply and, over time, incentivize producers to prioritize yield over the quality standards that define the category.