A country known for its many purchases of U.S. agricultural products could soon become a greater buyer following an agricultural trade mission (ATM).
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade Alexis Taylor brought almost 40 U.S. food companies and commodity groups to Japan in hopes of boosting farm and food exports to the country.
“I heard a lot of real positive feedback from the nearly 40 businesses that were on the Japanese ATM,” Taylor said. “We enjoy a really strong bilateral trading relationship with Japan. Japan has imported between $10 billion and just over $14.5 billion in U.S. food and agricultural exports in each of the past 20 years. They are an old and consistent and reliable trading partner, and we are equally a reliable and consistent trading partner and exporter to them.”
Japan is the fourth largest buyer of Ag products behind China, Mexico and Canada, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
But there is always room for growth especially when catering to a changing consumer base in Japan.
“Japanese consumers are discerning. They are seeking out really high-quality products. They really gravitate towards products that have health or wellness attributes,” Taylor said. “They also look for a compelling story. They’re really interested in who that farmer, rancher, food processor are, what their story is, and I think we have some really amazing stories to showcase.”