Canada’s pork industry is undertaking a trade mission recently in Japan, with stops in Osaka and Tokyo, to celebrate the ongoing relationship between the two countries in helping to ensure food security and harmonious relations.
For the first time in more than 40 years, Canadian pork is now the top imported pork in Japan. This a monumental achievement and a proud milestone for Canada’s pork industry. This success reflects decades of trust and loyalty built with Japanese consumers and is a central purpose of this mission trip.
The 19 delegates attending will begin the trip in Osaka visiting the Expo 2025– a major event showcasing Japan’s global leadership in a wide variety of sectors. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and Canada Pork (CP) will be hosting an event at the Canadian Pavillion. This will include a cutting demo, Canadian pork sampling, and a special presentation from CPC and CP representatives.
The latter half of the trip will be spent in Tokyo where the delegates will attend a media conference at the Canadian Embassy. Both events, along with other significant activities planned, will provide producers and processors an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s Japanese partners and friends.
“We are proud of the relationship our two countries have built over the years, and we are committed to further expanding and strengthening Canadian pork’s partnership with Japanese retailers and consumers,” said René Roy, Chair of the CPC. “For producers, missions like this provide an opportunity to showcase Canada’s high-quality production standards directly to the market.”
“We know Canadian pork is regarded as a premium product in Japan, and we will continue to increase even greater awareness,” said Hans Kristensen, Chair of CP. “Hearing directly from the industry shows that we view this not just as a market, but as a partnership and a friendship worth celebrating.”
As Japan remains one of Canada’s most valued partners, ongoing engagement is essential to sustain the trust, loyalty, and market access that have been built over decades. This mission underscores that success in Japan is not a one-time achievement but the result of continuous collaboration, mutual respect, and commitment. •