QMS Flying the Flag for Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb in Japan

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will be showcasing Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI at Foodex Japan, Asia's largest exhibition dedicated to food and drink across Japan, being held in Tokyo next week (5th – 8th of March 2019). Foodex Japan attracts over 3,500 exhibitors and 85,000 buyers from food service, distribution and trading companies across the globe. Samples of top-quality Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb will be available for potential buyers and influencers to savour at the event where QMS will be promoting the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, along with the guarantees of quality assurance, provenance and welfare that underpin the brands. Tom Gibson, QMS Head of Market Development, who is attending the show, said that after the recent lifting of the trade ban in January, Foodex Japan is a great opportunity to showcase high-quality Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb to Japanese buyers and build lasting trade relationships. “Japan is a major importer of beef and its demand for lamb there is increasing. It is vitally important, therefore, that we attend shows such as Foodex to tap into the Japanese market which is potentially worth £130 million to the UK over the next five years,” said Mr Gibson. QMS will be joined on the trade mission by representatives of Scottish meat exporters who will be introduced to Japanese meat importers at a business reception at the British Ambassador’s residence. The presence at Foodex Japan, as well as other international trade shows and activities, is funded by the £2 million fund of AHDB red meat levies ring-fenced for collaborative projects which is managed by the three GB meat levy bodies – AHDB, HCC and QMS. The ring-fenced fund is an interim arrangement while a long-term solution is sought on the issue of levies being collected at point of slaughter in England, for animals which have been reared in Scotland or Wales.