A new agreement has been reached on the export of Irish minced meat and meat preparations to Japan, the Government has confirmed.
Irish agri-food exports to Japan were worth more than €147 million in 2020, an increase of €14.6 million on the previous year. The European trade agreement with Japan, which came into force on 1 February 2019 is the largest open trade zone in the world.
Minister of State with responsibility for new market development Martin Heydon said he was pleased to have successfully modified the terms of the export health certificate for beef to allow for the export of minced meat and beef burgers to Japan.
It is hoped that the agreement for Irish minced meat and burgers to Japan will help Ireland increase sales due to the ease of shipping those products by sea and Ireland’s reputation as a supplier of beef burgers in the foodservice industry.
The expansion of beef access follows on from the removal of the age restriction of beef exports secured in May 2019 when beef from cattle of all ages became eligible for export to Japan.
Speaking about the latest developments, Minister Heydon said: “This good news for Irish beef exports reflects the cordial and productive relationships that have been developed with official and trade contracts since the appointment of an agricultural attaché in the Irish Embassy in Tokyo in 2019 and the placement of a Bord Bia Market specialist in Japan.”
Irish beef exports to Japan increased from 2,323t in 2019 to 4,120t in 2020, growing in value from €9.5 million to €15.7 million in the same period. The majority of this was in the form of bovine tongues, a delicacy in Japan, and other beef offal.
“Enhancing access to existing markets is as important as opening new markets in maximising the potential of Irish beef exports for the benefit of all stakeholders in the sector,” Minister Heydon concluded.
LSL News.