Economic problems aside, Japan will continue to be a growing market for Canadian food products, federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief said last week.
After a five-day trip to Japan, he issued a March 12 assessment of Canadian prospects, which included a prediction that last year’s $1.74 billion in exports will increase.
“I think it’s probably in the meat (sector),” Vanclief said when asked in a telephone news conference March 11 from Tokyo where the greatest growth potential lies. “Their diets are changing here as their economy hopefully will strengthen.”
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Canada holds two percent of the Japanese beef market and 15 percent of the pork imports. But Canadian companies are preparing cuts specifically for Japanese tastes.
Vanclief said his meetings with farm, retail and government officials also led him to conclude three things:
- There is an opportunity for Canadian organic food products.
- Genetically modified foods are not a big issue in Japan.
- There are some concerns about security of supply.
Vanclief said the Japanese have noted labor disruptions at Canadian ports as the Public Service Alliance of Canada continues its strikes against the federal government.
