An Irish beef processor has secured a €4m deal to supply the Japanese market with beef.

The ABP Food Group announced that it had secured the deal to supply the market in the past few days. The contract starts immediately and ABP told the Irish Farmers Journal that the first consignments of Irish beef are expected to ship early in 2015.

In December 2013, during a state visit to Japan, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced the reopening of the Japanese market to Irish beef. Irish officials said at the time that the deal could be worth as much as €15m to the Irish beef sector.

No indication has been given as to what cuts of beef will be used.

Mark Goodman from ABP welcomed the deal with Japan.

Discerning customers

“We are very proud to announce this deal, which means ABP will become the first Irish company to re-start supply to the Japanese market since the BSE ban in 2000. Japanese consumers are among the most discerning in the world. Bord Bia has played a major role in assisting us to communicate Ireland’s sustainable, grass-fed hormone-free message to Japanese consumers. Our focus now is to grow the business and build the reputation of premium Irish beef in Japan,” Goodman said.

While the market reopened in late 2013, Irish authorities had been in talks with Japan since 2008 on the re-opening of the market. There were a number of visits by Japanese officials before an export verification document was presented to Ireland in November last year.