A NEW million-pound deal between AK Stoddart’s and Japan will ensure high quality Scottish beef continues to make its mark world-wide.

This lucrative contract will help the Ayrshire and West Lothian-based food processing company tap in to the third biggest economy in the world, as well as paving the way in to other Asian markets.

An initial 20-tonne container of assorted beef products was despatched to Japan last month, set to arrive within the coming fortnight, and will be followed by further deliveries in the next eight to 10 weeks.

Read more - UK beef and lamb bound for Japan

In January 2019, Japan lifted its 23-year ban on British beef imposed after the BSE crisis. In December, Scotch Beef also made a return to Canada following a campaign supported by Holyrood ministers and the wider food industry.

Stoddart’s supply Scotch Beef to many other countries including Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Monaco and a future deal with the US is firmly in its sights.

With Britain’s departure from the EU fast approaching, AK Stoddart’s says it is concerned at the lack of clear guidance on what the post-Brexit world will look like – and even moving goods between GB and NI could be slowed down by paperwork.

However, managing director of the organisation Grant Moir, said the company was seeing more overseas opportunities emerging: “As restaurants start to re-open, we are ready to supply some of the top chefs with some of the best beef in the world,” said Mr Muir. “This deal with Japan marks an important step forward for AK Stoddart’s export plans and we will look to grow and expand on this.”

“Brexit negotiations have opened up opportunities such as tapping into the US market, which will position us as the first and only beef processor in Scotland to be working with the States. But it has also thrown up challenges in trading and negotiations, it is a lengthy and timely auditing process to be approved for export to Japan and indeed the US,” he explained. “Taking the US in particular, there’s a large expat community and affiliation with Scottish culture, the importance to the Scottish economy of having trade links with countries such as the US and Japan is clear and we are working hard to navigate and adapt our business for export as the Brexit process ensues.”

Quality Meat Scotland’s chief executive Alan Clarke added: “It’s fantastic news that AK Stoddart’s have secured such a substantial deal to supply our world-class Scotch Beef PGI into Japan – a market which is worth almost £130m to the UK red meat industry over five years.

“Japanese consumers are known for having a hunger for the best quality products and Scotch Beef fits the bill perfectly,” he continued.

A similar sentiment was shared by Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing: “I am delighted that AK Stoddart’s is continuing to grow its overseas exports, particularly during such challenging times. This deal shows that there remains a strong demand for top quality Scottish produce – and how important it is to protect and promote that in the future, to enable Stoddart’s and others to sell more produce overseas.”