Information : Japan

TRADE:

In 2023 Ireland exported approximately 12,027 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €45.5m

In 2022 Ireland exported approximately 16,187 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €56.5 m

In 2021 Ireland exported approximately 14,911 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €50.5 m

In 2020 Ireland exported approximately 11,937 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €43.53 m

In 2019 Ireland exported approximately 9,803 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €31.72 m

In 2018 Ireland exported approximately 14,805 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €41.364 m

PRODUCTS EXPORTED: Mainly fresh or chilled Pigmeat and frozen Pigmeat.

CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS: The certificate is for Pigmeat and Pigmeat products.

EXPORTER T&C’S:

• Irish systems have been granted equivalence to Japanese systems.
• Exports can only take place from establishments approved by DAFM & recommended to MAFF in Japan as meeting the Japanese requirements for export of Pigmeat to Japan. 
• Specific rules on origin of pigs and Pigmeat– pigs must have been born, reared, and slaughtered in Ireland or in an approved third country/zone and directly imported into Ireland – specific rules on transit and veterinary certification apply. 
• Pigmeat for export to Japan must only have been handled (slaughtered, cut, processed stored) in plants/cold stores approved to export Pigmeat to Japan.  There is provision for the use of Pigmeat directly imported from approved third free countries if originating from a Japanese approved plant in the approved third free country– specific rules on plant origin, transit and veterinary certification apply. 
• The latest trader notice with the currently approved health certificate is Trader Notice no: MH 23/2016.

INFORMATION: Contact meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie

TRADE:

In 2023 Ireland exported approximately 3,119 tonnes of beef valued at €19.8m.

In 2022 Ireland exported approximately 3,845 tonnes of beef valued at €30.4 m.

In 2021 Ireland exported approximately 4,160 tonnes of beef valued at €27.6 m.

In 2020 Ireland exported approximately 4,120 tonnes of beef valued at €15.7 m.

In 2019 Ireland exported approximately 2,323 tonnes of beef valued at €9.5 m.

In 2018 Ireland exported approximately 842 tonnes of beef valued at €3.7 m.

PRODUCTS EXPORTED: Mainly frozen bovine offal.

CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS: The certificate is for beef and beef offal; and beef burgers.

EXPORTER T&C’S:

• The meat (beef and beef offal) can be sourced from cattle of all ages, however, all carcases from cattle over 30 months must be labelled with a visible red strip.

• Meat establishments must be on the list of meat establishments specifically approved by DAFM to export beef or beef offal to Japan. This list is available on the DAFM website: gov.ie - Meat Policy - Japan (www.gov.ie)
• The meat must be derived from cattle born and raised in Ireland or in other countries eligible to export to Japan.
• Trader Notice 11/2019 refers; the export of Beef Burgers from establishments approved for export of beef to Japan is detailed in TN MH 06/2021
• Trader Notice MH01/2023 refers to change of strip colour from Red to Black as a means of identifying eligible carcases for export to Japan.

INFORMATION: Contact meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie

Trade:

In 2023 Ireland exported 40 tonnes of Sheep meat valued at €0.12m

In 2022 Ireland exported 39 tonnes of Sheep meat valued at €0.17 m

In 2021 Ireland exported < 5 tonnes of Sheep meat valued at €0.05 m

2019-2020 no exports recorded.

Products Exported: N/A

Certification Arrangements: The certificate is for sheep meat and sheep offal.

Exporter T&C’S:

• Irish systems have been granted equivalence to Japanese systems.
• Exports can only take place from establishments approved by DAFM & recommended to MAFF in Japan as meeting the Japanese requirements for export of sheep meat to Japan. A list of Irish sheep meat plants approved for Japan list is available on the DAFM website:
• gov.ie - Meat Policy - Japan (www.gov.ie)
• Sheep meat and sheep offal, meaning all parts of sheep derived therefrom, are eligible for export to Japan except the following tissues which are Specified Risk Material (SRM) defined by the enforced Japanese regulation.
• Head (including tonsils but excluding tongue, cheek, and skin) and spinal cord from sheep over 12 months of age or which have a permanent incisor erupted through the gum.
• Spleen and ileum of all ages of sheep.
• Sheep meat and sheep offal must be derived from flocks that are not under restriction due to Scrapie.
• Sheep meat and sheep offal for export to Japan, and the carcasses and sheep from which they are derived should be traceable to production records.
• Trader notice number 17/2019 refers. 

INFORMATION: Contact meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie