Japan is the largest cheese importer in the world and a significant buyer of whey, lactose and other dairy products. Forecasts suggest Japanese dairy imports will continue to grow in the years ahead due to rising consumption and constraints on the nation’s domestic dairy farming sector.
However, the United States’ ability to win a larger share of that export demand or even maintain its current level of dairy business with Japan is in jeopardy due to recent Japanese trade agreements with U.S. Dairy export competitors. Through preferential market access provisions in the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the European Union, New Zealand and Australia have gained a significant market access advantage.
Without a strong U.S.-Japan free trade agreement, USDEC estimates competitors could win half of existing U.S. export business in Japan, with lost sales mounting to a total of $5.4 billion when the EU-Japan deal and CPTPP are fully phased in.
“There is no question that the U.S. dairy industry can compete in the Japanese market,” says John Wilson, senior vice president and chief fluid marketing officer at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). But “to maximize opportunities there, we need a trade deal that at least puts us on a level playing field with competitors like Australia, New Zealand and the EU. We’re hopeful that a strong U.S.-Japan free trade agreement can be negotiated soon and think it’s critical for the continued growth and success of the U.S. dairy economy.”
In an effort organized by USDEC and the National Milk Producers Federation, DFA and 69 other dairy companies, farmer-owned cooperatives and associations, sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture asking the U.S. government to capitalize on the recent conclusion of Japanese national elections and quickly finalize a strong trade deal with Japan that secures critical market access for the U.S. dairy industry. USDEC also sent out a news release on that letter.
What people are saying about the need for a trade deal with Japan
“Today Darigold supplies over 50% of the US American-style cheese exports to Japan. Those sales will soon be lost as competitor trade deals take effect.”
–Stan Ryan, Darigold president and CEO
“Japan has been a very important market for Leprino Foods Company’s US-produced products for years. We invested heavily in developing lactose and whey protein exports several decades ago and, more recently, mozzarella exports into this important market and believe that the market has significant further growth potential. We risk losing these sales and growth opportunities to competitors who recently finalized preferential trade agreements unless the US negotiates a strong agreement. We are very supportive of the administration’s efforts to secure an agreement that allows us to retain and grow this important market.”
–Sue Taylor, vice president of dairy policy and procurement for Leprino Foods Company
“Japan is an important market for Glanbia Nutritionals, where we have the opportunity to grow our dairy exports. We are at an important juncture where our competitors have secure preferential trading terms that are impacting US dairy ambitions. To ensure we can deliver on the opportunity in Japan, we need our trade negotiators to quickly finalize a trade agreement that secures access for American dairy products and ample room to grow.”
–Wilf Costello, chief commercial officer for global cheese with Glanbia Nutritionals
“For our next generation of dairy farmers, it’s critical that we continue to create growth opportunities, particularly in important dairy markets like Japan. Free trade matters for farm families in the Pacific Northwest.”
–Leroy Plagerman, Darigold board chairman and dairy farmer in Washington state
“There is no question that the U.S. dairy industry can compete in the Japanese market. To maximize opportunities there, we need a trade deal that at least puts us on a level playing field with competitors like Australia, New Zealand and the EU. We’re hopeful that a strong US-Japan free trade agreement can be negotiated soon and think it’s critical for the continued growth and success of the U.S. dairy economy.”
–John Wilson, senior vice president and chief fluid marketing officer at Dairy Farmers of America
