The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, during the second edition of the Spain Food Nation Summit
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has highlighted the strategic importance of the Japanese market for Spanish food and beverage exports. Japan has consolidated its position as the fourth most important non-EU destination for the agri-food sector, behind only the United States, the United Kingdom and China, with exports of more than 1.335 billion euros, 14.5% more than the previous year.
In Tokyo, Planas closed the second edition of the Spain Food Nation Summit, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX that seeks to boost the international reach of the sector. During his speech, the minister highlighted the growing recognition in Japan for Spanish products linked to quality, origin and tradition, such as olive oil, wine and cheese.
The agri-food industry is Spain's leading export to Japan, with a share of over 45%. The meat sector stands out in particular, with exports having doubled in the last decade. "Our products are synonymous with quality, safety, flavour and tradition", said the minister, who added that "when combined with renowned gastronomy and dynamic tourism, they generate unique synergies to conquer new markets".
Luis Planas highlighted the strategic nature of the Spanish food industry, which represents the country's leading manufacturing industry and leads the country's trade balance surplus. Spain ranks fourth in agri-food exports within the European Union and seventh in the world. The sector employs around half a million people, with a female employment rate higher than the manufacturing industry average.
He also highlighted the role of the institutional promotional strategies Alimentos de España and Spain Food Nation, which contribute to positioning Spain as an agri-food and gastronomic power on a global scale. The minister expressed his special gratitude for the work of the Food and Wine Advisory Councils in Japan, as well as the involvement of the companies and experts participating in the forum, whose contributions, he said, "are essential to guide both public policies and private sector action".
Within the framework of this initiative and as part of the Spain Fusion Tokyo project, Luis Planas also participated in two areas aimed at professionals from the sector with an exhibition and tasting of representative products from the Spanish pantry and a dinner with dishes prepared by Michelin-starred Spanish chefs. "An excellent opportunity to demonstrate the differentiated quality of our products, which represent the essential flavours and knowledge of the different regions of Spain".
Quality seal for Spanish cuisine abroad
During the closing ceremony of the Spain Food Nation Summit, the Ministry presented two commemorative plaques to two restaurants certified with the Restaurants From Spain (RFS) seal. The winners were the restaurant Vidrio, with six establishments in Japan, and El Chateo, with three establishments.
This recognition distinguishes those restaurants that offer their customers a gastronomic proposal based on quality Spanish products, respecting the authenticity and excellence of Spanish cuisine. The Restaurants From Spain certification acts as a seal of guarantee and institutional support and highlights establishments that position themselves as true ambassadors of Spanish gastronomy on the international stage.
Non official translation