Ireland exported €162m of food and drink to Japan in 2024. Exports grew from €145m to €162m over the five years to 2024, an increase of 11%.

The leading export sector is dairy (€58m), followed by pigmeat (€29m), beef, including offal (€24m), seafood (€16m) and drinks (€10m).

Dairy exports are mainly cheese, which is used to manufacture shredded and processed cheese for retail and food service. All the major Irish dairy processors are active in the market.

Beef and pigmeat exports are mainly frozen, destined for food service and manufacturing.

Chilled Irish beef (imported by air) is served in some high-end restaurants and hotels.

ABP, Kepak, Dawn Meats, and Rosderra are particularly active in the market.

The Negishi restaurant chain, with approximately 40 locations in Tokyo, specialises in grilled beef tongue.

The Negishi chain is the largest global customer for Irish beef tongue. Currently, Negishi mainly sources beef tongue from Uruguay, Ireland and the UK.