Canadian pork in Japan: A success story

For over 25 years, the Japanese have considered Canadian pork to be a premium product, viewed almost as highly as their own domestic product. Their interest in Canadian pork was further reaffirmed this week during celebratory events in Tokyo

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) represented pork producers at events organized by Canada Pork International at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo on November 5, 2019.

It was standing room only during the seminar meant to inform Japanese customers about the particularities of Canadian pork. “I was very proud to see firsthand the kind of attention our product is getting in Japan” explained Rick Bergmann, CPC Chair and producer from Manitoba. “We pride ourselves on raising the highest quality hogs in Canada, and it’s a great feeling knowing that what we do on our farms gets recognized and is appreciated” he added.

“Everyone we met wanted to be assured we could keep the supply of Canadian pork flowing into Japan”

 

Mr. Bergmann gave an overview of the on-farm practices that play a role in being able to offer what is called “Verified Canadian Pork”, a brand that offers quality assurances to domestic and international consumers alike.

“During my first trip to Japan, everyone we met wanted to be assured we could keep the supply of Canadian pork flowing into Japan,” said Hans Kristensen, CPC’s First Vice-Chair and pork producer in New Brunswick. “The Japanese appreciate the firm quality of Canadian pork as well as its flavor and appearance” explained Mr. Kristensen.

Japan is Canada’s 2nd largest export market. In 2018, Canada exported 264,635 tonnes of pork to Japan worth 1.3 billion dollars.

Source: Canadian Pork Council (CPC)