Japanese Wagyu Markets Summary - Update February 2018
Mike Buchanan • 12 February 2018

Japanese National Calf Markets

February 2017 – February 2018

Analysis: Coming from historic highs in early 2017, Japanese Black national calf markets have drifted slightly lower but mostly sideways as the chart below indicates. Based on exchange rates in early March 2018, current prices for Japanese Black steer calves are around $AUD9750hd, with heifers around $7300hd.

Wagyu Data Table

Tokyo Carcass Price Trends

Jan 2014 – Jan 2018

This chart is in JP Yen/kg, and illustrates the linkage of price to JMGA grading. Using March 2018 currency exchange, JMGA top graded A5 steer carcasses are attracting $AUD35.54 per kilo in a rising market. Top grade A5 FB heifer carcasses are at $AUD32kg.


The carcass price has been rising steadily for four years, with only minor corrections.

Wagyu Data Table
Wagyu Calves

SOLD! Unique Ginjo Wagyu Fullblood Herd Shifts to Queensland

by Mike Buchanan • 24 April 2022
The internationally successful Ginjo Wagyu breeding herd and fullblood Wagyu genetics business has been purchased for an undisclosed sum by the Roma-based Hancock Family Trust, managed by Peter and Karen Hancock, of ‘Ardentrive’, via Roma.
Wagyu Calves

North American News July – August 2016

by Mike Buchanan • 1 August 2016
Citing ‘issues and unfortunate misunderstandings’ relating to registration types and Wagyu definitions, the US Wagyu Association has announced sweeping changes in registry structure to ‘clarify the breed’.
Wagyu Cattle

Japanese Wagyu Markets Summary - Update May 2016

by Mike Buchanan • 2 May 2016
No news is possibly good news in relation to the suspended live trade in Australian F1 to Japan. High Japanese beef prices reflect shortages of local slaughter cattle, so there may be some economic incentive to re-open the trade once biosecurity issues are resolved.
Wagyu Meat

Japanese Wagyu Markets Summary - Update March 2016

by Mike Buchanan • 14 March 2016
The 2015 Japanese National Carcass Competition winner is a ‘master class’ the value of breeding and feeding to the genetic potential of the Japanese Black. Overall, the 30moa champion steer carcass graded JMGA A5.
Wagyu Calves

Japanese Wagyu Markets Summary - Update January 2016

by Mike Buchanan • 4 January 2016
As expected, the descriptor ‘Kobe Beef’ has been afforded GI (Geographical Indicator) protection under Japan’s revised 2015 GI legislation (See December Japan Update on this site).
Wagyu Calves

Japanese Wagyu Markets Summary - Update December 2015

by Mike Buchanan • 7 December 2015
The Japanese Black calf market is very buoyant due to livestock shortages, with strong carcass prices driving high demand for replacement feeder cattle.
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