Japan¡¯s average retail prices of pork and chicken in August hit record highs since the survey began in August 2003, according to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.
Prices of imported pork and chicken rose due chiefly to the yen¡¯s weakening, leading to a rise in demand for domestic products and subsequently pushing their prices higher, according to the August survey released by the ministry on Wednesday.
The average price of pork loin stood at ?290 per 100 grams, ?3 higher than the previous record set in July. The price of chicken thigh came to ?156, exceeding the previous record of ?155 set in June.
Prices of imported beef, domestic beef and eggs stayed above their averages over the past five years.
The survey is conducted by visiting 10 stores in each of Japan¡¯s 47 prefectures, or 470 stores in total, to calculate average prices, which are published monthly. For pork and chicken, prices of domestic products are surveyed unless only imported products are available at stores. The latest survey was conducted over three days through Aug. 5.
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