Japan expands market access for Argentine beef

After two decades of negotiations, Argentina and Japan have agreed on animal-health import requirements for additional regions of origin. Audits and establishment approvals are still required before shipments can begin.

Argentina has announced an important step forward for its beef exports. According to the government's statement of 30 September, the agreement with Japan covers beef and beef tongues from areas recognised as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) with vaccination. The initiative dates back to 2006, with negotiations gaining renewed momentum in 2024.

The headline “Japan opens its market after 20 years” needs context. Beef from southern Argentina has been eligible for export to Japan since 2018. That region has FMD-free status without vaccination. The current agreement extends access to areas where vaccination is practised.