Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle announced a strengthened UK-Japan trade arrangement, which she said would “slash red tape” for British food exporters.
She went on to say that the deal would cut costs and bureaucracy for British organic food producers, while opening the door to one of Asia’s fastest-growing organic markets.
The UK and Japan formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock standards at the start of April, which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said would create “significant market access” for British exporters to meet growing consumer demand for organic products in Japan.
This means British businesses will need only a single UK organic certification to sell their organic livestock products in both countries. The Government has identified removal of this trade barrier as one of its market access priorities, with the potential to boost British export sales and generate millions in additional trade each year, according to industry estimates.
The arrangement between the UK and Japan comes as the UK organic sector expanded 4.2% in 2025 to reach £3.9 billion retail value, with the EU, Switzerland, US and the Republic of Korea among key export destinations for British organic products.
“This equivalency with Japan allows us to pursue opportunities previously out of reach.”
Food Security Minister Dame 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.”
Among those eyeing the opportunity is Welsh organic dairy producer Calon Wen, which has been growing its exports of organic cheese across Asian markets and is now looking to establish a foothold in Japan.
Stuart McNally, business development and sales manager for Calon Wen, said: “This is a very welcome breakthrough for Calon Wen, a farmer-owned organic dairy co-operative, and for the wider UK organic sector.
“This equivalency with Japan allows us to pursue opportunities previously out of reach. This includes organic business tenders worth substantial trade annually. It’s a positive step that supports our family farms and strengthens the reputation of Welsh organic dairy in premium export markets such as Japan.”
