Japan is renowned internationally for its stringent food safety and import control regime, as well as for its taste for high-quality, varied cuts of meats. The opening of this market for UK fresh and cooked poultry products demonstrates the high standards of UK poultry production methods.
With consumption of poultry on the rise in Japan and its focus on reliable, attractive new products, this market presents a new target for UK poultry meat exporters and could open up opportunities for British poultry farmers.
Thomas Wornham, NFU national poultry board chair, pictured above, said:
“British poultry meat is produced to some of the highest welfare, quality and food safety standards in the world and it is great to see this recognised in Japan. The opening up of this new market in the world’s third largest economy is good news for the poultry meat sector and provides a new opportunity for UK poultry producers.”
Victoria Prentis, Food Minister, said:
“Our high-quality poultry with its exceptional flavour is renowned around the world, as are the high standards of food safety and animal welfare demonstrated by farmers and producers across the UK.
“The Japanese market will now be able to enjoy more of our unique produce, adding to an already varied collection of UK food, such as pork, beef and lamb, already available to its customers.
“We are working hard to open new markets for our agri-food businesses, and this is a significant opportunity for the UK poultry sector.”
Ranil Jayawardena, Minister for International Trade, said:
“This is fantastic news for farmers and food producers across the whole of the United Kingdom who can now take advantage of this new market and export poultry meat to Japan – the world’s third largest economy – for the first time.
“Today’s announcement builds on our trade deal with Japan which has helped to secure new wins for our brilliant food and drinks industry and boost trade between our two nations, which was worth over £24 billion in 2020 alone.
“This is Global Britain at work, opening doors to new markets for our great British businesses, removing unnecessary barriers to trade and creating new opportunities across every part of the United Kingdom.”