Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

By way of evidence of the significance of the market, between 2013 and 2018, the value of imports in the Japanese sheepmeat market has jumped by over 80% from €93 million to €170 million. During the same period, the quantity of imported sheepmeat has grown by only 33%. It is a premium product in Japan and we have opportunities in that regard. I appreciate that it is a matter of having as many markets as possible and the industry then availing of the market that delivers the highest price to the sector.

Japan is a highly sophisticated and developed market where food is a premium product and it is a market we could usefully exploit in the years ahead.

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