Top-grade A5 wagyu accounts for over 75% of Japan's market, driving exports

Supply glut spurs competition to ship abroad, pushing down prices

The Japanese market faces an oversupply of premium wagyu beef, known for intense marbling. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)

TOKYO -- Wagyu beef rated A5, the highest possible grade, is saturating the Japanese market, where inflation-hit consumers are shying away from expensive food. The resulting glut is leading producers to turn to overseas markets and compete against one another on price.