AHDB welcomed five Japanese importers to the UK this week for a five-day mission to learn about sustainable beef, lamb and pork production and explore trade opportunities.
The event was the first of its kind from Asia since the pandemic and included visits to farms in the North of England and a tour of an abattoir and meat processing site. A networking dinner was held at Butchers Hall in London, where the delegation were able to meet leading UK beef, lamb and pork exporters.
UK red meat exports, last year, reached record levels, globally, at £1.7 billion. AHDB’s analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports, launched earlier this year, also identified opportunities for UK pork, beef and lamb in Japan as a high-value economy and net importer.
AHDB’s head of international trade development, Jonathan Eckley, said: “Japan is an important and growing market for our red meat exporters. We want to maximise the opportunities that are presented there, with a particular interest from Japanese consumers in high-welfare and environmentally sustainable food production which the UK is in a strong position to fulfil.
“The visit provided an ideal platform for us to showcase our sustainable, high production standards throughout the supply chain, as well as organising key meetings between Japanese buyers and UK exporters to potentially capitalise on opportunities in this valuable market.
“Export development is one of AHDB’s key strategic objectives, working collaboratively with industry and government, to cultivate further opportunities for our red meat and dairy sectors. Opportunities in Japan and other markets will be in the spotlight on June 22 at the AHDB Export Conference in London.
“Missions like this are instrumental in helping to develop relationships with buyers and key markets and helping our levy payers maximise the opportunities available to them. With this in mind, we will be organising another inward mission in July with visitors from North America, Asia and the Middle East experience what we have to offer first hand.”