Society

Japan to set 13,000-ton import quota for butter

Jan 29 (NHK) - Japan's agriculture ministry has decided to import up to 13,000 tons of butter in the next fiscal year to cover domestic supply shortages and ensure stable supplies.

The quota for the year that starts in April will be the same as the one for the current fiscal year.

The shrinking number of dairy farmers in Japan is causing milk output to fall. The Japanese dairy industry estimates that 68,900 tons of butter will be available in the next fiscal year, 3,600 tons short of the projected demand.

Ministry officials say that setting a substantial import quota in advance has helped to prevent a butter shortage. They say they will maintain this quota for the next fiscal year.

The ministry has also decided to import up to 27,000 tons of skimmed milk powder, an ingredient of the yogurt products that are increasingly popular with health-conscious people.

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