Since August 1, Japan has lifted all export restrictions on beef from Austria. Processed beef products and beef from animals older than 30 months may now be exported again, the Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday.
In 2001, following the outbreak of BSE cases, Japan imposed a beef import ban on almost all of Europe. After an initial easing in 2017, the market is now fully open.
Years of data series on food safety and numerous extensive investigations and on-site inspections by Japanese meat inspectors in Austria enabled the gradual lifting of the ban.
Austrian exporters are supported
“While Japan itself is considered a gastronomic stronghold when it comes to beef – key word Kobe beef – quality Austrian beef also finds an interesting market niche in the land of the rising sun,” emphasizes the Austrian trade representative in Tokyo, Ingomar Lochschmidt. The Austrian Foreign Trade Center Tokyo of the WKÖ supports Austrian exporters in market development and arranges contacts with importers.
“A Real Hit”
The first step in the opening in 2017 has already enabled export success, generating more than €9 million in direct beef exports to Japan to date. “A real hit” is beef tongue, which must be cut especially carefully. At 4.7 million euros, the export of beef tongues contributed just over half of the previous export success.
Source: Krone
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