Published Sunday, 19 November, 2023 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities
The Honourable Mark Furner
The Palaszczuk Government is embarking on a four-day mission to Japan to ensure even more Queensland-grown sustainable food and fibre products make their way into Japanese homes.
Japan is Queensland’s third-largest agricultural export market with beef exports alone valued at $1.3 billion in 2022-23.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the aim of the mission was to celebrate, strengthen and grow our long-standing trade and investment relationships in Japan.
Minister Furner will meet with leading importers, food and fibre manufacturers, and investors, including Starzen, Salad Club, Fast Retailing, Hibaya-Inn, and EcoWood.
Emissions reduction and sustainability initiatives in agriculture will be a major topic of discussion during the mission, in line with the ambitious climate targets committed to by both Queensland and Japan.
Japanese consumers clearly love Queensland beef and, increasingly, our fruit and vegetables.
The mission will feature a major networking event with Queensland’s top beef exporters and their importers, and an in-store promotion at one of Japan’s leading specialty supermarkets, Yaoko, to launch North Queensland’s Pacific Coast Eco Bananas and Daintree Fresh Emperor’s Pearl melons in the market.
Delegates from Pacific Coast Eco Bananas, Daintree Fresh, Harrowsmiths International, and Bowen Gumlu Growers Association will join Minister Furner in Tokyo.
For more information about the trade mission, contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23, or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au.
Quote attributable to the Honourable Mark Furner, MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities:
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting our food and fibre exporters to maintain their reputation in Japan, and to continue to grow their exports and attract even more investment in our industries,” Minister Furner said.
“Despite Japan being a mature market with price-sensitive consumers, Queensland’s food and fibre has a reputation for quality.
“We have an opportunity to export even more of our premium meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood and fibre products, which means more jobs in our agricultural supply chains and regional communities.
“Building strong, trusted and long-term relationships is the key to trade and investment success. Trade and Investment Queensland’s team in Japan work tirelessly to develop the connections between Queensland and Japanese businesses. This visit will reinforce to our Japanese friends just how important they are to Queensland.”
ENDS
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