Rising Import Costs Drive Japan’s Chicken Prices to Peak Levels

Japan’s chicken thigh prices have reached ¥156 per 100 grams, 15% higher than the average for the same period in previous years, marking the highest level since the survey began. As a budget-friendly staple for households, increased demand for chicken is also putting greater upward pressure on prices.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Chicken, once considered one of the most affordable staples on Japanese dinner tables, is becoming increasingly expensive. According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the average retail price of chicken thighs at supermarkets and other retailers nationwide reached ¥156 per 100 grams in August 2026, up 2% from the previous month and 15% above the average for the same month in previous years. The price marked the highest level since the survey began in August 2003.

Chicken has long been a popular choice for Japanese households looking to keep food expenses under control. Dishes such as karaage fried chicken, teriyaki chicken and chicken curry are relatively inexpensive, easy to prepare and provide a convenient source of protein. However, as prices of beef and pork remain high, more households are turning to chicken as a way to save money, creating additional pressure on demand and prices.

The MAFF survey showed that chicken thigh prices rose by ¥3 per 100 grams from ¥153 in July. Pork loin also increased by ¥3 to ¥290 per 100 grams. Domestic beef loin, meanwhile, fell by ¥34 from the previous month, but remained considerably more expensive at ¥836 per 100 grams.

For many households, chicken still offers a clear price advantage over other types of meat. A Tokyo homemaker in her 40s, for example, said her family buys chicken two or three times a week. While she previously paid little attention to the price per 100 grams, she has recently started comparing prices between supermarkets.

“Chicken used to cost around ¥500 to ¥600 for a family meal. Now, once vegetables and seasonings are included, the same meal can cost about ¥100 more,” she said. She has also begun adding ingredients such as tofu and eggs to make a smaller amount of chicken go further.

A Tokyo office worker in his 30s said he eats chicken three to four times a week, mainly because it remains cheaper than beef and more affordable than eating out.

“I used to be able to keep a simple chicken lunch or homemade meal to around ¥600. Now I try to shop during supermarket discount periods,” he said. “Chicken has become more expensive, but switching to beef would increase my food budget even more, so I still buy chicken. I just pay much closer attention to prices.”

Nutritionists recommend that consumers do not necessarily need to reduce their chicken consumption because of higher prices. Instead, households can make smaller portions of meat go further by combining chicken with vegetables, tofu, mushrooms and other ingredients. Cutting chicken into smaller pieces and using it in dishes such as stews, curries and rice bowls can help increase the overall volume of a meal while keeping costs under control.

Nutritionists also suggest choosing cooking methods such as steaming, simmering or grilling instead of relying heavily on deep-frying. Combining a moderate portion of chicken with vegetables and plant-based protein sources can help households maintain a balanced diet while managing food expenses.

The rise in chicken prices highlights an unexpected cycle in Japan’s food market. As consumers look for cheaper alternatives when beef and pork become more expensive, demand for chicken increases. But when more households turn to the same affordable option, that stronger demand can itself contribute to higher prices.

Import costs are another factor affecting the chicken market. Japan relies partly on imported chicken, meaning a weaker yen can raise the cost of imported products and potentially affect retail prices. Chicken prices therefore reflect not only changes in domestic demand but also broader cost and currency pressures.

Chicken was once one of the easiest ways for Japanese households to save money on meals. Its latest price increase suggests that even traditionally affordable foods are being affected by the changing food-price environment. For consumers, managing household food budgets may increasingly require not only choosing lower-priced meats, but also adjusting portion sizes, combining ingredients and changing cooking methods.