TOKYO: Japan has set a target on ¥1 trillion in food and agri-exports by 2020, driven by the growing demand for Japanese food in Thailand
After reaching ¥610.7bn (US$5.1bn) in 2014, Japan has set its sights on topping ¥1 trillion (US$8.3bn) in food and agro-exports by 2020, according to the Nation.
Thailand has been highlighted as a growing market for Japanese exporters, with trade to Japan’s sixth largest food importer rising 4.9 per cent in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Japan’s External Trade Organisation (Jetro) hosted a ‘business matching’ event that saw 200 Thai retailers, traders, wholesalers and restaurateurs meet with 40 Japanese businesses in Bangkok in order to boost trade opportunities for Japanese producers and exporters.
Director of Jetro Bangkok Sachio Takiyama told the Nation that the event would see each Japanese company secure trade with at least one Thai company, citing the rise in Japanese restaurants as one of the factors driving demand for Japanese fruit, vegetables, meat and alcohol.
The number of Japanese restaurants in Thailand has grown by 11 per cent since the previous year, with Takiyama expected a 20 per cent increase in the coming year.
