Canadian cattle producers welcome increased beef access into Japan

March 27, 2023

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is pleased to see the full restoration of market access into Japan with the Government of Canada announcing today the opening of processed beef into this important market. In 2022, the beef industry exported C$518 million in beef and beef products, an increase of 18.4 per cent compared to 2021. The value of beef in Japan has increased 15 per cent going from C$6.74/kg in 2020 to C$7.76/kg in 2022.

“Cattle producers are grateful for the re-opening for processed beef in Japan, our second largest export market for beef,” commented Nathan Phinney, CCA President. “Our industry will continue to support global food security by providing some of the most sustainable and highest quality beef in the world.”

This decision marks the removal of the last set of restrictions put into place by Japan after the discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2003. CCA is grateful for Japan’s decision to adhere to science-based trade with the removal of BSE-era restrictions following Canada’s attainment of BSE-negligible risk status by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in 2021.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to further remove remaining BSE-era trade restrictions and expanding our trade capacity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Phinney.

Trade Facts

  • Since the start of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2017, and the removal of tariffs that followed, Canadian beef exports increased 192 per cent to Japan.
  • Under CPTPP, Japan’s 38.5 per cent tariff on beef imports will decrease to 23.35 per cent by April 1, 2023, and will go down to 9 per cent by 2033.
  • In 2022, Canada exported C$518 million in beef and beef products, reaching half a billion dollars.
  • Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region, hold the greatest potential for beef export diversification.

For further information, contact:
Michelle McMullen
Communications Manager
Canadian Cattle Association
403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca

For a PDF of the news release, click here.