The Japanese market stands out as one of the most demanding yet rewarding destinations for the EU beef sector. A significant factor driving this trade is the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Japan, which entered into force in February 2019. This agreement gradually reduces tariffs and streamlines veterinary procedures, allowing European producers to improve their price and quality competitiveness against traditional suppliers such as Australia and the United States. Additionally, the removal of age restrictions for selected EU countries (previously capped at 30 months) and Japan’s willingness to accept processed meat products have further bolstered trade development.
Between 2024 and 2025, EU producers exported nearly 16,700 tonnes of beef to Japan. An analysis of sales volumes during this period reveals that the market experienced notable macroeconomic fluctuations. In 2024, there was a strong recovery following declines linked to a weaker Japanese yen. However, in 2025, EU exports encountered a supply challenge. Official reports from the European Commission and Eurostat show that total beef production in the EU fell by over 4% in 2025, bringing the total down to approximately 6.31 million tonnes. This reduction led to rising domestic prices and limited the Community’s ability to export to third markets by several percentage points. Despite these structural difficulties, a select number of Member States continued to maintain a solid position in supplying beef to Japan.
European beef in Japan
Poland remains the top exporter of beef from the EU to Japan, making up over 70% of the total volume shipped. In 2024, Poland exported approximately 6,200 tonnes of beef to Japan (primarily frozen). However, in 2025, due to supply restrictions on live cattle, this volume dropped to around 5,400 tonnes. Following Poland is Ireland, which has made significant inroads into the Asian market with its well-established premium beef brand. Irish exports reached around 1,100 tonnes in 2024 and nearly 950 tonnes in 2025. Spain holds the third position, supplying about 850 tonnes of beef to Japan in 2024, which decreased to approximately 700 tonnes in 2025. France, the EU’s largest beef producer, ranks fourth, exporting around 450 tonnes in 2024 and 380 tonnes the following year.
Rounding out the top five is Germany, whose sales fell from roughly 300 tonnes in 2024 to around 240 tonnes in 2025, a decline attributed to reduced slaughter numbers in the country.
The Japanese veterinary system assesses each EU country individually, with specific protocols and approval lists modified solely through direct bilateral agreements. In Japan’s international trade landscape, only a select few hold the distinction of being among the “Leaders without age limits.” As of April 2026, Ireland was the only EU country to negotiate and implement the full removal of the age limit for cattle, a privilege granted in May 2019.
Poland officially joined this exclusive group on 14 April 2026, becoming the second EU country to enjoy such comprehensive privileges. Other key EU exporters, including France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria, can export to Japan; however, their meat must be exclusively from cattle younger than 30 months.
Poland at the forefront
The previous legal framework governing Polish beef exports to Japan was based on the restrictive provisions of August 2014. For over a decade, Polish exporters had to operate under severe restrictions, namely a ban on exporting meat from cattle older than 30 months. In the context of today’s highly monitored Polish livestock sector, this provision constituted a purely anachronistic barrier, artificially reducing the volume of potential exports. The new rules completely remove this age restriction.
The second, equally revolutionary pillar of the April agreement is the official authorisation for processed beef products to be sold on the Japanese market. Until now, Polish exporters could offer almost exclusively raw, fresh, or frozen meat cuts, reducing their role to that of suppliers of low-processed raw materials with limited added value. Approval to export processed products – such as delicatessen items, heat-treated products, or specialist semi-finished products for the catering sector – allows Polish plants to enter the most profitable market segments.
Sources:
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/data-and-analysis/markets/overviews/market-observatories/meat_en
https://www.gov.pl/web/kowr/polska-na-targach-foodex-japan-2026
https://www.agrofakt.pl/eksport-wolowiny-do-japonii-rosnie-znika-kluczowa-bariera/
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