A 19-member Canadian pork delegation is in Japan this week to celebrate a landmark moment in the trade relationship: for the first time in 40+ years, Canadian pork is the top imported pork in Japan. The mission underscores decades of trust between Canadian producers and Japanese retailers and consumers.
The visit begins in Osaka at Expo 2025, where the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and Canada Pork (CP) will host an event at the Canadian Pavilion featuring a cutting demo, product sampling, and remarks from CPC and CP representatives. The delegation then travels to Tokyo for a media conference at the Canadian Embassy, alongside additional meetings recognizing long-standing Japanese partners.
Industry leaders say the trip is about deepening a proven partnership. CPC Chair René Roy highlighted the opportunity to showcase Canada’s high-quality production standards directly to the market, while CP Chair Hans Kristensen emphasized Canadian pork’s premium positioning in Japan and the importance of continued consumer awareness and friendship-based collaboration.