The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced a plan to increase butter imports by 4,000 tons on September 27.
MAFF’s plan has been worked out on its precise assumption that the domestic market of milk will be further tightened because a hot-summer climate and damages by typhoons possibly bring about falls in milk supplies during coming months.
The total import of butter is expected to hit a record of 17 thousand tons in fiscal 2016. MAFF has also taken into consideration a demand-supply estimate made by the Japan Dairy Association (J-Milk) as well as views of farmer’s organizations and users.
Additional butter of 4,000 tons is to be imported over the current access quota, which is equivalent to liquid milk of 49,360 tons.
Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation, an incorporated administrative agency, will carry out biddings in and after October. Imported butter will be available early in the next year.
This May MAFF decided to import extra butter of 6,000 tons in addition to the current access of 7,000 tons.