Food

Japan’s food market ranks second in the world and the food retail market is worth about 38 trillion yen (about Euro 240 billion). Japan’s packaged food market is worth about Euro 140 billion, which is about 11% of the world total of Euro 1.2 trillion. The food processing industry is estimated to have a value of about Euro 150 billion, making it the third largest sector in Japan after electronics and car manufacturing. According to FAOSTAT (2005-06), Japan is the largest importer in the world of pork, maize and canned chicken, the second largest importer of beef, soybeans and wheat, and a major importer of fruit and vegetables. Rice is the principal domestically produced crop. Japan depends on imports for about 60% of its food supply on a calorie basis. Its self-sufficiency ratio has steadily declined, dropping recently to just below 40%. This is very low compared with France at 130%, the US at 119%, Germany at 91% and the UK at 74%. Japan is seeking to improve this ratio and has set a target of 45% by 2015. The committee aims to eliminate all tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in the food sector.

View Issues and Recommendations – (English | Japanese) - Updated

Chairman:
Mr. Benoit Chauvel
President, Nichifutsu Boeki K.K.
DF Kasumigaseki Place
3-6-7 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013
Tel: +81-3-5510-2664 | Fax: +81-3-5464-5552

Members:
Danisco
Danone Japan Co., Ltd.
DSM Japan KK
Hiestand Japan Co., Ltd.
IKEA Japan K.K.
Japan-Europe Trading Co., Ltd.
Kullberg & Partners KK
MIE PROJECT Co., Ltd.
Nestle Japan Ltd.
Nichifutsu Boeki K.K.
Norwegian Seafood Export Council
Perfetti Van Melle Export Far East Japan Representative Office
PURAC Japan K.K.
Puratos Japan Co., Ltd.
Unilever France - Asia Pacific Representative Office

Upcoming Committee Meeting Schedule:
Please contact the EBC ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to confirm the meeting location prior to attending

TBA