Among Asian countries, Japan is a very important and promising partner, as an attractive and large market for Polish agri-food products. They are appreciated by demanding importers and Japanese consumers. There is still a huge potential for agri-food exchange between Poland and Japan, and Polish and Japanese producers can look to the future with hope, hoping for further dynamic development of cooperation.

Polish-Japanese cooperation in the field of agriculture at the official level is less intense with a small number of bilateral visits, which usually take place during events related to large trade fairs in both countries. One of the Polish priorities is to open access to the Japanese market for Polish food. Poland implements these demands through bilateral activities and within the EU, including the EPA. Measures are also taken to develop bilateral scientific and research cooperation and the agri-tech sector.

Polish agri-food exports to Japan amounted to EUR 87.5 million in 2023. Poland has a significant food trade surplus with Japan of €77.2 million. Poland mainly exports frozen beef, edible offal of beef, pork, sheep and goat, down and feathers and animal feed. It mainly imports alcohols, sauces, spice mixtures and tea. Japan imports 3% of Polish beef, ranking third after the United Kingdom and Israel on the list of the most important importers of this type of meat among non-EU countries.

As part of activities aimed at supporting Polish companies and entrepreneurs from the agri-food industry in establishing contacts with Japanese partners, promotional activities are carried out in Japan. Every year, Polish exporters exhibit during the FOODEX JAPAN and Supermarket Trade Show in Tokyo. The lack of distribution channels developed by Polish entrepreneurs (Polish products go to Japan through Japanese, German, British and other companies) means that the amount of processed products from our country is very small in Japan.

The EU-Japan Economic and Trade Agreement (EPA) has also liberalised trade in agri-food products, eliminating tariffs and other trade-restrictive provisions. It opens up new opportunities for Polish-Japanese cooperation. Japan systematically raises the issue of restrictions on food imports from Japan in connection with the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This case is governed by rules established at EU level. These rules apply in all EU Member States and Poland did not lay down national rules governing the matter.

In 2014, due to the occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in Poland, Japan introduced a ban on imports of pork from Poland. This prohibition applies to the entire territory of Poland, which is contrary to the principle of regionalisation. Polish-Japanese talks on lifting the ban on pork imports continue at the level of experts and veterinary services. Recognition by the Japanese side of the principle of regionalization remains a priority in talks on agricultural issues with the Japanese side and determines the possibility of restoring Polish pork exports.

European beef sales to Japan are constantly growing - Japan is not self-sufficient in beef and is forced to import. By far the largest exporter of frozen beef among the EU countries is Poland, which accounts for over 70% of the volume of exports to the Japanese market. The Polish Union of Meat Industry Producers and Employers (UPEMI), as part of the ‘European beef on Asian markets’ programme, ran a campaign in Japan in 2018-2019 and in 2021 under the name ‘Beef from Poland on the Japanese market’.

Poland is a leader in the production and export of poultry meat in the EU and is interested in exporting Polish poultry products to Japan. Unfortunately, due to the emergence of avian influenza in Poland, from 2020 there was a ban on exports to Japan. In July 2024, Japan decided to lift the ban on the export of poultry meat and egg products from all Polish voivodeships to Japan. The Polish agri-food sector has opened up new export opportunities to Japan and opportunities to strengthen Poland's dominance in poultry meat production.

For many years, Poland has been perceived by Japan as a safe manufacturer of feathers and down of the highest quality. The Japanese market is interested in this lucrative commodity, due to the traditionally high demand and very good opinions about the high quality of the Polish product. Polish down and feathers are used for the production of quilts, pillows and jackets. In 2022, the Polish feathers industry exported goods worth USD 8.66 million to Japan. Polish production is mainly based on two species: White Kołudzka geese and the Polish white duck Beijing.

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