A Japanese soy food supply chain team consisting of an importer; tofu, natto and deep-fried tofu processors; and supermarket representatives learned more about the long-term advantage of U.S. food-grade soybeans during their recent visit to the U.S.

Led by USSEC Japan Human Utilization Director Masi Tateishi, the delegation visited Bluegrass Farms in Ohio, Shwartz Farms, Identity Ag Processing and Kikkoman Food prior to participating in the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange.  The team received the most updated information about food bean quality and new varieties from Ohio and Wisconsin.
Food safety (Anshin-Anzen) continues to gain importance at each stage of Japan’s food supply chain.  Therefore, USSEC’s efforts to educate the trade on the U.S. soy industry’s efforts ensuring safety on the side of the U.S. are key to its success in the Japanese market.
In 2013, Japan imported 768,000 metric tons of high-quality identity preserved (IP) food beans, marking an import volume increase from the U.S. of 11 percent compared to 2012.  A further increase of 9 percent is estimated in 2014 due to Japan shifting its source from Canada to the U.S.  USSEC will continue its marketing efforts on differentiation to sustain/expand the U.S. share of the Japanese food bean market.