The UK has secured expanded access to Japan’s £1.4bn organic market after agreeing mutual recognition of organic livestock standards, in a move aimed at cutting costs and boosting exports for British producers.
The agreement, announced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), comes into force from 1 April and means UK businesses will only need a single domestic certification to sell organic meat and dairy products in both markets.
The change removes a key trade barrier and is expected to unlock new export opportunities worth millions each year.
It is understood the deal reflects growing demand in Japan for premium organic products, with categories such as beef, pork, dairy and processed goods including sausages and butter set to benefit.
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Japan is one of Asia’s fastest-growing organic markets, supported by government efforts to increase domestic consumption.
Food Security Minister Angela Eagle said: “From Welsh organic cheese to world-class organic British beef, our farmers and producers set the gold standard for quality.
This arrangement tears down barriers and gives them access to Japanese consumers who are increasingly seeking out the very best organic products the world has to offer.”
The agreement builds on an earlier UK-Japan deal covering organic alcoholic drinks and forms part of wider efforts to expand agricultural exports, as the UK organic market continues to grow, reaching £3.9bn in 2025.
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