Bord Bia has today opened a new office in Tokyo, Japan, bringing to 14 the number of international offices it has promoting the Irish food and drinks industry overseas.
Through its Prioritising Markets – Opportunities for Growth study, the group said that it has identified Japan as being in the top five priority markets for Irish food and drink exports.
Increasing Bord Bia’s resources in Japan will 'leverage opportunities for Irish exporters and producers to build their market share'.
This, combined with the Japan EU Economic Partnership Agreement (JEEPA), which was enacted 1 February 2019, will remove the majority of €1 billion in duties that EU companies paid every year in order to export, which has created the world’s largest free trade area, the organisation explained in a statement.
The Next Step
“Evidence from our trade mission in 2017, our market prioritisation study and further engagement with the market has confirmed this potential and underpinned our ongoing commitment to developing sustainable business relationships for our industry,” said Michael Creed, minister of agriculture, food and the marine.
“Having a presence in the market is the logical next step in this strategy and we welcome this new addition to Ireland’s global footprint in the Irish agri-food sector.”
The Market
The Japanese market values high quality products and safety standards, the group that represents the Irish food board highlighted.
Tara McCarthy, CEO, Bord Bia, said exports to Japan were almost €115 million in 2018 — compared to €25 million in 2008.
Pig meat and dairy dominated the growth in the decade, and Japan is Ireland’s fourth largest market for both pork and cheddar.
"Japan, as one of the world’s largest meat and dairy importers, offers huge growth potential at a time when our food and drink industry is energised in unlocking potential in diverse locations," said McCarthy.
"Origin Green, our unique and holistic response to making Ireland’s food and drink a leader of sustainability, will be a most powerful tool of differentiation in this highly developed market of discerning consumers who care where their food comes from.”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Libby Seline. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
