Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Lit : Japan has opened the door to the Lithuanian poultry and poultry products

From January 27, Lithuanian manufacturers are able to export their poultry and poultry products to Japan. This has been announced today to the Lithuanian Embassy in Tokyo by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Due to intensified efforts of Lithuanian diplomats in the Land of the Rising Sun and close cooperation with the State Food and Veterinary Service and the Ministry of Agriculture, today we are witnessing the results of the remarkable joint and coordinated work of the economic diplomacy institutions.

'Lithuanian manufactures interested in export and partnerships in Japan are welcome to participate in the International Food and Beverage Exhibition FOODEX held in Tokyo on March 7-10. This will be Lithuania's fourth time to display its national stand,' said Egidijus Meilūnas, the Ambassador of Lithuania in Japan.

Trade relations between Lithuania and Japan are intensifying. In the past five years, the turnover of goods between the countries has increased more than twice. In 2015, the turnover was EUR 87.2 million, while it reached EUR 153.63 million during the eleven months of 2016. In the period between January and November 2016, Lithuanian export to Japan almost tripled, compared to the same period in 2015, amounting to nearly EUR 117.75 million. Export to Japan is mainly focused on tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, optical, measuring and medical devices, furniture, bedlinen and mattresses, milk and milk products, meat, fish and crustacean products.

It is expected that received certificates will allow to expand the range Lithuania exports to Japan with poultry products.

The Free Trade Agreement is currently under negotiation between the EU and Japan, which is expected to be completed in 2017. The negotiations are aimed at lowering import duties applied by Japan on industrial goods, agricultural and food products. The signing of the Free Trade Agreement should further facilitate trade of Lithuanian manufacturers in the Japanese market.