Posted: 03.14.2011

As evaluation of infrastructure damage in Japan continues - plenty of Wisconsin agribusinesses nervously wait.

Japan imported over $97 million dollars worth of Wisconsin agricultural products in 2010.

As in the United States, the changing nature of Japanese culture means that consumers are looking for more convenient foods. The Japanese are educated about what they eat and care a great deal about taste, quality, presentation, and trends in their food. Despite its size, Japan’s population has very diverse food preferences based on geography. Urban areas are more willing to try Western products.

For the past three years, 2009, 2010, and 2011, the Wisconsin International Trade Team staff led specialty food trade missions to Japan. The trade missions created a perfect environment for Japanese companies, chefs and consumers to learn about Wisconsin specialty cheese and other food products. Exports of cheese have remained consistently high, while there has been significant growth in the export of processed meat, such as sausage, to Japan.

Natural cheese, snack food, fruit juices, wine, frozen vegetables, and organic foods are among the best import prospects for the Japanese market. Wisconsin can benefit from trade with its place as the number one cheese producer and the leader in the number of organic dairy farms in the United States. Wisconsin is also one of the top three producers of the processed vegetables—sweet corn, green peas, and snap beans.

The top five agricultural exports to Japan in 2010 were:

• $29 million: Dairy products, birds’ eggs, and honey.
• $14 million: Prepared meat, fish, sausage, etc.
• $12 million: Soybeans, ginseng root.
• $9 million: Preserved foods including prepared vegetables, fruits, nuts, jams & jellies.
• $6 million: Animal Feed and Food Waste

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