The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
HMRC reports significant growth in beef and offal exports to Japan
Japan bought UK beef worth £5.4 million in 2020 in the first full year of the export market reopening after two decades.
Despite the challenging year for exports, the latest figures from HMRC show 1,581 tonnes of beef and offal were shipped to Japan in 2020, rising from 734 tonnes in 2019.
Further opportunities are on the cards because from this month UK sausages will also be eligible for export to Japan, although the access is subject to labelling requirements and the term “raw sausages” must be visible on the front or back labels to show it is necessary to cook the product.
According to AHDB Asia Pacific leader, Jonathan Eckley, the latest figures and new access for sausages, highlights the
opportunities that Japan presents.
He said: “Despite the challenges 2020 presented to UK exporters, it is encouraging to see significant growth in our beef exports to Japan.
“These impressive figures were from a standing start position
having only gained access to the new market in 2019.
“In 2020, Japan was one of four strategic international markets where AHDB appointed a specialist PR agency to support our work there. This has been critically important in maintaining momentum.”