The ongoing globalization of international trade has led most countries worldwide to periodically commit to reducing legal and fiscal barriers to the free circulation of agricultural and agri-food products. At the same time, governments retain the right to impose restrictions on the movement of animals, plants, and processed food products from abroad for food safety reasons or to prevent the spread of animal diseases, thereby protecting domestic agri-food production. This scenario is more common than generally perceived and has, on several occasions, slowed or even halted Italy’s growth trajectory in strategically important geographic areas. A similar situation is now unfolding in Japan—one of the most selective yet attractive markets for the food and beverage industry—this time affecting Spain’s pork meat sector. In late November last year, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture temporarily suspended imports of pork meat and other processed pork products from Spain. The measure was adopted following the detection of an outbreak of African Swine Fever in Spain.
SHIFTING COMPETITIVE DYNAMICS IN A STRATEGIC MARKET
This development could alter the balance of power within the sector, potentially creating new business opportunities for other established suppliers of processed pork products. At present, Italy exports limited volumes of processed pork, having itself been affected by an import ban imposed in 2022 and only lifted starting in 2024. Japan has since partially reopened its market to Italian seasoned or heat-treated pork products following agreements with the Ministry of Health. However, from a commercial standpoint, Italy has yet to return to export levels recorded before the suspension.
Exports of sausages and salami amounted to 8.5 million euros in 2021, while turnover in the first nine months of 2025 remained below 1 million. The same trend applies to cured hams, whose exports fell sharply over the same period, declining from 1.4 million to less than 100,000.
Spain now faces a commercially challenging path. Yet this situation could accelerate the relaunch of Italian offerings—particularly the country’s most renowned PDO and PGI cured meats.
Japan is a key market for pork meat, as domestic production does not ensure self-sufficiency and reliance on imports is therefore structural. In recent years, seafood consumption has slowed. Although fish remains the primary protein source in Japanese diets, household interest in fresh and processed meats—including pork—has been steadily increasing.
Total annual consumption is currently estimated at around 20 kg per capita, making pork the second most consumed meat category after poultry. Fresh pork cuts account for 63.4% of average annual household spending on pork products
Until now, approximately 75% of cured ham imported by Japan originated from Spain (Jamón Ibérico and Jamón Serrano), mainly distributed through specialty stores and gourmet-oriented outlets. Consequently, the absence of Spanish supply does not automatically translate into immediate gains for Italian products, many of which possess unique sensory and qualitative profiles that are not directly interchangeable.
Nevertheless, the withdrawal of Spanish products opens up unexpected opportunities for Italian operators.
L’articolo A Window of Opportunity for Italian Charcuterie Opens up in Japan proviene da Italianfood.net.