The UK has secured a £13 million per year deal to export poultry to Japan.
The new deal, which offers new opportunities for UK farmers, producers and exporters, follows negotiations over the past four years between the UK and Japan to agree specific animal health requirements.
Benefits of the deal will be felt across the supply chain throughout the UK and will open up new opportunities for British farmers, according to the government.
“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,” Food Minister Victoria Prentis said.
“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.”
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The agreement of Animal Health Requirements (AHR) has been negotiated between Defra and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (JMAFF) and concluded in May, with the export health certificate agreement and market opening finalised in June.
The deal comes as Japan and the UK signed the UK-Japan Comprehensive Partnership Agrement (CEPA) which is currently in force.
Japanese poultry intake has seen an increase in recent years, opening the market up to UK imports. The high standards of Japanese import control signal good news for the trade deal with UK poultry producers.
Minister for International Trade Ranil Jayawardena added: “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.”
“We are delighted at the news of the UK gaining export market access for poultry meat to Japan.
