Uruguay beef inches closer towards Japan market

Uruguay is in its final steps of opening up its beef exports to the Japanese market, according to the country's National Meat Institute (INAC).

INAC said it had been working for two or three years to gain access to Japan.

Dr. Fernando Perez Abella, vice-president at INAC, explained that it had been difficult to compete with Australia for Japan's trade, due to trade agreements, as well as the proximity of the two countries.

"We know from experience with South Korea that it's difficult to make commercial relationships like Australia has, so we're working on making those relationships more fluent with Japan," he said.

Abella added that the Uruguayan stand at the recent Sial food show in Paris had been highly visited by Japanese, who were anticipating the opening of the market. The country also had an invitation to Foodex Japan 2015, where they will be able to promote Uruguayan meat.

INAC said that Uruguayan exports to Japan will be competing in terms of price, rather than volume. Abella hopes to position his products at the high end of the market, pointing to the clean and spacious reputation of the South American country as desirable qualities. He promoted its hormone-free attributes and traceability system, adding that Uruguay was the first country to ban hormones in beef in 1962.

The final hurdle for Uruguayuan beef entry is a Japanese sanitary delegation to audit the Uruguayan plants and systems.