Import duties on beef in Japan risk increasing if the Japanese Parliament does not extend a set of temporary tariffs that expire at the end of March. Without an extension, the import duty on beef will rise from 38.5% to 50%.
This scenario precedes the new audit by the Japanese government of Brazilian meatpacking plants, scheduled for next month.
For years, the Brazilian beef industry has sought access to the Japanese market, considered one of the most demanding in the world for red meat. Following progress in negotiations last year, a conclusion is expected soon; however, the tariff situation in Japan adds uncertainty to the market.
The uncertainty affects not only meat imports but also approximately 400 agricultural and food products purchased by Japan that benefit from temporary tariffs. The Japanese government typically adopts this mechanism for limited periods to protect domestic production while simultaneously ensuring domestic supply through imports.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Finance, of the 412 items whose temporary tariffs are about to expire, the official intention is to extend the benefit for another year for 404 products. However, this requires the passage of a specific bill by Parliament.
