Welsh sheep farmers are set to benefit from new interest for lamb exports from Japan and Germany.

Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) announced at the Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells on Monday 27 November that Welsh Lamb is on its way to Japan.

HCC chairwoman Catherine Smith said: “It will be arriving this week and we now have firm plans to build on that with a significant launch into food-service businesses in Japan early in the new year.”

See also: Lamb trade supported by increased exports to EU

The UK regained market access to Japan for beef and lamb exports in 2019, after a ban from the 1990s due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was lifted.

Exports of Welsh lamb to Japan reportedly struggled at first during the Covid-19 pandemic, but have now started to pick up again.

Per-capita consumption of lamb remains low in Japan, but it still provides a good export opportunity from premium cuts, with a large number of potential consumers.

Earlier this year, the AHDB hosted five Japanese importers to consider trade opportunities for British beef and lamb.

Germany

HCC has also been working to secure new export opportunities on the Continent, with potential interest from the German retail sector.

Ms Smith added: “Our work in the export market has also borne fruit in one of our key European territories, where a new agreement was progressed that could see Welsh Lamb stocked in up to a further 1,000 stores in a major German retail chain.”