Irish food on Japanese tables

When moving through a bustling supermarket in Japan, you might be surprised to see Irish oysters on ice, rich golden blocks of Irish butter stacked in the fridges, or glass bottles filled peaty Irish whiskey on the shelves.

A little taste of Ireland has travelled far due to the shared love of quality and integrity behind the produce sold.

Ireland has set itself the ambitious goal to become a world leader in sustainable food systems by 2030, a vision that combines growing exports with a commitment to sustainability and deepening global partnerships.

Farming and food are woven into the fabric of Irish life, and today the country’s agri-food sector is its oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector. Valued at more than €18.1 billion (approximately ¥3,trillion), Irish food and drink exports are reaches tables in over 180 countries across the globe.

Irish whiskey, beef and seafood

Japan is an important trading partner for Ireland, now ranking as the third largest destination for Irish agri-food exports outside of Europe, and that connection continues to grow stronger. Irish dairy, beef and pork, seafood, whiskey, and other prepared consumer foods are increasingly familiar sights in Japanese shops, and restaurants and have quickly earned trust and a reputation for quality.

This connection does not stop at the dinner table. Ireland’s celebrated thoroughbred bloodstock and specialist agricultural products are also central to the story of this relationship.

More than a decade ago, the Irish Food Board,Bord Bia, identified Japan as a priority market with a growing appetite for high-quality, sustainable products. Since then, over 50 Irish food, drink and agri-tech companies trading in livestock nutrition, health and biostimulants are active in Japan. Many of them are appearing at events such as FoodEx Japan and the Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo.

The relationship between our two countries deepened in 2019, when the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force, bringing a strong boost to our partnership by lowering trade barriers and opening new opportunities between us. Exports to Japan have since exceeded €1 billion (Approximately ¥170 billion) with the Government of Ireland solidifying the commitment that same year by opening two dedicated offices in Tokyo: for Bord Bia and for the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine - both of whom work closely with the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo.

What makes this connection so strong is that Ireland and Japan have many shared values. We are like-minded and export-focused trading partners, with a strong focus on quality food and drink, an integral part of both Irish and Japanese cultural identities.

We are both increasingly working on the sustainable development of our agri-food, forestry and marine sectors.

For Japanese consumers, who are particularly keen on sustainably produced products, Irish grass-fed dairy and beef are of particular interest.

Irish Grass-Fed Beef now a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the EU, which offers an assurance of quality and traceability that resonates strongly with the Japanese public. Along with Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream, Clare Island Salmon, and many other registered products, it is part of a family of geographical indications that celebrate Ireland’s unique food heritage and offer assurance to customers of traceable ingredients.

These themes were of primary focus in June 2025, when Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, visited Tokyo and Osaka. The goal of this visit was to raise awareness of Ireland’s reputation as a world-class producer and supplier of safe, nutritious food.

The visit included meetings with Japan’s Minister for Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Koizumi Shinjiro, and Mr Niki Hirobumi, State Minister at the Ministry for Health Labour and Welfare. But this was not solely about policy, as flavour was at the forefront of the minds of everyone involved. Minister Heydon supported the re-launch of Irish fresh oysters in Japan, highlighted the growing availability of Irish cheddar, beef, pork, lamb, whiskey and seafood, and celebrated the launch of several new Irish branded consumer products.

Good food has a great way of bringing people together. As Ireland pursues its sustainability mission, and Japanese customers embrace more Irish flavours, the story writes itself. It is a tale of partnership built not only on shared values and interests, but also on a shared culture and shared joy, centred around high-quality food.