An Executive Member of Manitoba Pork's Board of Directors says it took a visit to Japan to understand how much his customers appreciate the product he produces.
Earlier this month, in observance of the signing of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and to celebrate Canadian pork's ongoing relations with Japan, a delegation representing the sector travelled to Japan to meet with customers.
Scott Peters, a Steinbach area pork producer and Executive Director of Manitoba Pork, says it was only after arriving in Tokyo that he became aware of the significance of Canadian pork to the Japanese market.
Scott Peters-Manitoba Pork:
From the very first meeting in Japan until the day we left we were told how important and how great the quality of Canadian pork is to the people of Japan, specifically the marbling and the texture and the fact that there's no odor to it is specific to that market.
When the pork is sliced in Japan they want it extremely thin and that's actually called shabu shabu.
Because our product is firm and the fat is firm, it slices extremely well and so the people of Japan prepare their meat exactly like that just to get that full taste.
Right now for Canadian producers, we are nailing right on the head for that market.
Source : Farmscape