Japanese exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products as well as other foods are expected to hit a record high in 2015, agriculture minister Hiroshi Moriyama said.
Exports of such products from January to October reached ¥602.9 billion, jumping 23.2 percent from the year before, and it is certain this year’s exports will surpass the annual record of ¥611.7 billion logged last year, Moriyama told a news conference Tuesday.
According to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, in the first 10 months of this year, export growth of more than 20 percent was recorded by each of the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors.
Vegetable and fruit exports surged 44.8 percent, and grain exports, including rice, soared 35.7 percent, the ministry said.
Main export destinations were Asian markets, such as Hong Kong and China, the ministry said. It also reported 60 percent growth in exports to the Netherlands and a 40 percent rise in African-bound shipments.
In an outline of policy measures worked out following the recent broad Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, the government said it will increase annual exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and other food items to ¥1 trillion earlier than the planned deadline of 2020.
It is important for farmers to fully understand that their products will be evaluated on a global basis, Moriyama said.
