Irish beef producers aim to increase exports to Asian countries such as Japan and China in a Bord Bia-backed drive to re-open markets in the region following bans implemented in the wake of the 2000 BSE outbreak.
ABP Food Group became the first Irish company to secure a supply deal in Japan after the country lifted its import ban on Irish beef products.
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A spokesperson for the company revealed ABP has secured a deal to supply beef to Japanese partner Nanso ELT. ABP said the contract is valued at “over EUR4m” (US$4.9m) and will commence immediately with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the new year.
Mark Goodman, ABP international commercial director, said: “Japanese consumers are among the most discerning in the world. Over 60% of locally produced beef is Wagyu, so I think its testament to the competitiveness and quality of Ireland’s grass-fed beef offering that we have succeeded in gaining entry to this market.”
Goodman said the group’s focus is now to “grow the business and build the reputation of premium Irish beef in Japan”.
Bord Bia, the Irish food industry association, indicated Ireland is now working to re-open the Chinese market to Irish beef exports.
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By GlobalDataEarlier this month, officials of China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) visited Ireland in “a further positive step” in the procedure to re-open the market to Irish beef, Bord Bia said.
