Canadian pork in Japan: A success story
Press release
For immediate release
November 8, 2019 - OTTAWA For over 25 years, the Japanese have considered Canadian pork to be a premium product, viewed almost as highly as their own domestic product. Their interest in Canadian pork was further reaffirmed this week during celebratory events in Tokyo.
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) represented pork producers at events organized by Canada Pork International at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo on November 5, 2019.
It was standing room only during the seminar meant to inform Japanese customers about the particularities of Canadian pork. “I was very proud to see firsthand the kind of attention our product is getting in Japan” explained Rick Bergmann, CPC Chair and producer from Manitoba. “We pride ourselves on raising the highest quality hogs in Canada, and it’s a great feeling knowing that what we do on our farms gets recognized and is appreciated” he added.
Mr. Bergmann gave an overview of the on-farm practices that play a role in being able to offer what is called “Verified Canadian Pork”, a brand that offers quality assurances to domestic and international consumers alike.
“During my first trip to Japan, everyone we met wanted to be assured we could keep the supply of Canadian pork flowing into Japan” said Hans Kristensen, CPC’s First Vice-Chair and pork producer in New Brunswick. “The Japanese appreciate the firm quality of Canadian pork as well as its flavor and appearance” explained Mr. Kristensen.
Japan is Canada’s 2nd largest export market. In 2018, Canada exported 264,635 tonnes of pork to Japan worth 1.3 billion dollars.
The Canadian Pork Council is the national voice for hog producers in Canada. A federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms, the organization plays a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.
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Media Contact:
Gary Stordy—Director, Government and Corporate Affairs
Canadian Pork Council
613 236-9239 ext. 277
stordy@cpc-ccp.com
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