The Japanese government has begun rationing butter to help evenly distribute an inadequate supply. The Christmas season exasperates the shortage as shoppers seek out butter for traditional treats. The shortage is caused by a combination of factors including inclement weather, an aging farming population and politics.
Hakkaido, the main dairy region in Japan, has suffered several years of uncommonly warm summers and uncommonly cold winters. The extremes have stressed the cows, resulting in a drop in production.
In an interview with the National Public Radio, Associated Press reporter Elaine Kurtenbach also attributed a large part of production decreases to an aging farming population. The current average age among Japanese dairymen has reached 70. Many of these farmers don’t have heirs to take over the operation, resulting in fewer farms over time.
The struggling industry has dropped from 417,000 farms nationwide in 1963 to just 18,600 earlier this year. The dramatic drop of more than 95 percent continues despite heavy government subsides.
The island nation is traditionally reluctant to import as part of a policy to protect the local industries, though officials have discussed some emergency butter importation at the beginning of next year.
Additionally, the government ordered four major dairies to increase butter output in early December, reducing production of the more profitable drinking milk and cream.
According to The Associated Press, Japan is involved in negotiations with 12 other countries, including the U.S., to establish a trans-Pacific trade pact. Japan’s desire to protect an already struggling dairy industry has stalled talks, making it unlikely the group will reach a consensus before the end of 2014 despite the shortage. PD
—Summarized by Progressive Dairyman staff from cited sources