One of Japan’s most important food shows – the Supermarket Trade Show – just wrapped up. With support from industry partners, the U.S. Meat Export Federation showcased U.S. pork and beef products for key buyers from Japan’s retail sector.
USMEF-Japan Marketing Director Tom Kasatani says Japan’s food industry is ready to capitalize on the recent uptick in travel and tourism, which have gradually recovered since the lifting of COVID-related restrictions.
“The number of tourists is now above the pre-COVID level since last October,” he says. “The hotel rate has increased quite a lot due to the many guests staying, mainly tourists. So yes, we are hoping many tourists
can come and eat U.S. beef and pork cuisine in Japan.”
In early March, USMEF will lead similar efforts at FOODEX, Japan’s largest food trade show.
“Both events give USMEF opportunity to show Japanese restaurants and retailers how to maintain high quality while meeting price pressures with U.S. beef and pork,” Kasatani says. “We can’t manage the price going up and down. But I think we can suggest or introduce the technique – how to use some alternative cuts. So by introducing that I think Japanese can manage to keep on selling our products.”
