The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has revealed that British organic food producers now have access to Japan’s £1.4 billion organic market.
The UK and Japan have formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock standards, which Defra said would create significant market access for British exporters to meet growing consumer demand for organic products in Japan, from organic bacon and sausages to organic dairy products.
British businesses will now need only a single UK organic certification to sell their organic livestock products in both countries. Defra said this would break down a “major trade barrier”, as it aims to boost British export sales.
Japan is the second largest organic market in Asia, valued at an estimated £1.4 billion in 2023, and expanding rapidly, driven by Japanese government initiatives to promote organic consumption domestically.
“From Welsh organic cheese to world-class organic British beef, our farmers and producers set the gold standard for quality.”
Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle
The UK’s organic sector continues its growth trajectory, expanding 4.2% in 2025 to reach £3.9 billion retail value. According to Defra, the EU, Switzerland, US, and Republic of Korea stand among the other key export destinations for British organic products.
The arrangement builds on recent movements for the livestock sector such as the recent beef tariff rate quota and genetics market access in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle commented: “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.”
