Sask Pork Chair Toby Tschetter holds a package of Canadian pork at Mandai Supermarket with Alberta Pork Chair Alistair Bratton (centre) and Canada Pork Japan Marketing Director Kenshi Kimura (supplied photo/Toby Tschetter)

By Alice McFarlane

Promoting Canadian pork in Japan

Japan picks Canadian pork first

Oct 15, 2025 | 4:10 PM

For the first time in more than 40 years, Canadian pork is now the top imported pork in Japan.

Canada’s pork industry recognized that achievement during a trade mission to Japan last month, with stops in Osaka and Tokyo.

The Canada Pork trade delegation visits Mandai Supermarket during a recent trade mission to Japan. (supplied photo/Toby Tschetter)

Saskatchewan Pork Development Board Chair Toby Tschetter, from the Star City area, was part of the delegation.

He said the group represented a wide selection of the country’s pork industry.

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

“Our delegation consisted of 19 members and these represented producers from every provincial organization across Canada, processors and traders,” Tschetter said. “Basically, we had representation right across the whole food chain.”

Canadian pork producer representatives visit the Canadian embassy in Japan at an event hosted by the Saskatchewan Export & Trade Partnership (supplied photo/Toby Tschetter)

This was Tschetter’s second trip to Japan. He said these trade missions are very important to strengthen the Canadian pork partnership with Japanese retailers and consumers and to gain market intelligence.

“You receive in-depth market briefings from your customers; you learn about local business practices and regulations and consumer preferences,” Tschetter added. “The second reason is to increase visibility and credibility. If you’re part of an official delegation, it raises your profile and enhances your reputation in the foreign market. Making a strong first impression is crucial to our customers.”

Tschetter said the third component is to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. He said trade missions are a tool used to strengthen bilateral trade agreements, encourage foreign direct investment, and improve overall economic relationships with other nations.

He said a lot of work that has been done to build this strong relationship with Japan.

“Japan is what we call a success story for Canada,” he said. “We’ve established a reputation and relationship with Japan based on food safety, quality, and security. The Japanese consumer holds our food safety and food quality programs to a high degree. Canadian pork is now the top imported pork in Japan.”

There were many activities planned during the trip.

Delegates began their mission in Osaka where they visited Expo 2025. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and Canada Pork (CP) hosted an event at the Canadian Pavillion. This included a cutting demonstration, Canadian pork sampling, and a special presentation from CPC and CP representatives.

Pulled pork poutine was prepared and served at the Canadian Pavillion at Expo 2025 (supplied photo/Toby Tschetter)

The latter half of the trip was spent in Tokyo where the delegates attended a media conference at the Canadian Embassy.

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com