AHDB will be attending one of Asia's largest food and drinks exhibitions next week to grow red meat exports to Japan, which were worth more than £22.5 million last year. Foodex returns on Tuesday, and the four-day event in Tokyo is expected to attract around 3,000 exhibitors and thousands of buyers from across Japan.

Joined by eight exporters, AHDB will showcase beef, lamb and pork from the UK, providing an opportunity to promote quality red meat from the UK to potential importers and increase shipments of red meat in the year ahead.

According to the latest data from HMRC, last year more than 5,000 tonnes of red meat was exported to Japan, with beef making up almost two thirds of the total shipments.

Beef exports increased from 2,340 tonnes to 3,175 tonnes, worth £16.3 million – up 68 per cent. Pork shipments were valued at £5.5 million, rising from 1,425 tonnes to 1,518 tonnes. And lamb exports rose from a modest 74 tonnes in 2021 to 314 tonnes, worth more than £781,000.

AHDB Head of Asia Pacific Jonathan Eckley said: "We are delighted to be returning to Japan for Foodex, one of the most important events in our export trade show calendar. This year marks the first time in three years that our team will be able to attend in person following the pandemic and we are excited to be able to reconnect with potential buyers in this important market.

"Japan is a growing market for our red meat exports, steadily rising each year as demand for our high-quality meat continues to grow. We are keen to maximise on the opportunities that Japan offers and help our exporters grow their business through face-to-face meetings with importers and networking opportunities that AHDB has created."

With a population of 125 million, Japan is the eleventh biggest country in the world and the third biggest economy, but due to insufficient agricultural land, Japan relies on imports for around 60 per cent of the food it consumes.