Japanese importers visit UK to see red meat opportunities
© Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock Five Japanese importers visited the UK this week to see first-hand the export trade opportunities for British red meat.
The five guests joined the AHDB on a five-day mission where they were briefed about sustainable beef, lamb and pork production.
The mission included visits to farms in the north of England, where they were also taken on a tour of an abattoir and meat processing site.
See also: Exports of red meat from the UK reach record levels
The trip culminated in a networking dinner at Butchers Hall in London where the delegation had the chance to meet leading UK beef, lamb and pork exporters and explore business opportunities.
A fabulous afternoon with @NHerefords with our Japanese visitors to learn about #EBV, calving and beef production from grass based system – bonus was to see a calf only minutes old born out in the sunshine #beef #cattle @NFUNorthWest #farming #farms pic.twitter.com/FbtjA6FM9G
— AHDB Beef & Lamb (@AHDB_BeefLamb) May 25, 2023
Jonathan Eckley, the AHDB’s head of international trade development, 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.”
UK red meat exports hit record levels last year with a value of £1.7bn, including beef exports to Japan which saw an increase in value of 68% to £16.3m.
Opportunities in Japan and other markets will be in the spotlight on 22 June at the AHDB Export Conference in London.
The AHDB will be organising another inward mission in July when visitors from North America, Asia and the Middle East will experience what UK red meat exporters have to offer.