Japanese Market Opens Up to Irish Beef

03 Dec 2013 --- Cormac Healy of Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec group that represents the Irish beef processing industry, has welcomed the announcement in Tokyo of the reopening of the Japanese market to Irish beef.

Speaking from Tokyo, where MII is participating in the Irish trade mission led by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D., Mr. Healy said: "This is a further important step in the process of rebuilding strategic international market access for Irish meat exports. Japan is already an important market for Irish pig meat and with the lifting of restrictions on beef, Irish companies, many of which are represented on the trade delegation, will be exploring new export opportunities in this market in the coming months. MII is also hopeful that progress can be made in the near future to clear the way for sheep meat exports to the premium Japanese market.

"Over the next few days, the Irish trade delegation will have a series of meetings with leading Japanese importers and the Japan Meat Traders Association to explore the potential for exports. The initial market opportunity will be for beef co-products which were the traditional export from Ireland to Japan.

"The positive decision by the Japanese authorities to reopen their market for Irish beef is important in its own right for this market and will hopefully be a significant step towards access for Irish beef and lamb to markets in this region of the world."