Following on from the signing of the EU-Japan trade deal last week, Bord Bia has stepped up the promotion of Irish beef in Toyko.

On Thursday, the food board and the Department of Agriculture met with some 50 Japanese beef buyers in the Japanese capital city.

Speaking prior to the meeting with the beef buyers, Bord Bia’s chief executive Tara McCarthy said:

“(The) engagement with 50 beef buyers, one week after the signing of the EU-Japan trade agreement, provides us with an early opportunity to capitalise on this new business relationship aimed at eliminating trading barriers.

“Ireland long recognised the value of the Japanese beef market and pushed to regain access in 2013. Exports have since increased four-fold to reach €7m last year, proof that Japanese buyers trust our reputation as a supplier of safe, secure and sustainably-produced beef,” McCarthy said.