Opening new export routes, delving into the demands and needs of the Japanese market, which shows great interest in Campana DOP buffalo mozzarella and represents the primary destination in Asia for the export of white gold. With these objectives, the Consorzio di Tutela Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Dop is the only Italian consortium present at the European Commission’s institutional mission currently taking place in Japan, led by the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen, along with a delegation of high-ranking representatives from the agri-food sector across Europe. The visit, which began on June 8, takes place between Tokyo and Osaka until June 13. At the center of the scheduled meetings with Japanese buyers and companies is the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, in effect since 2019, which provides a high level of protection to over 260 European products with geographical indication, including Campana DOP buffalo mozzarella. According to data released by Ismea, Italian agri-food exports to Japan have reached 1.9 billion euros, growing by 14% annually, representing 24% of total Italian exports to that country. Geographical Indications play a central role and account for 50% of exports in the cheese sector, with the dynamic growth of Campana DOP buffalo mozzarella, which saw a 19% increase in value and 23% in volume in 2024, confirming Japanese consumers’ interest in a high-quality certified product. Besides high-profile institutional political commitments, the focus of the visit is to create stronger ties between European and Japanese operators in the agri-food sector. The program also includes a visit to the Osaka Expo, during which crucial topics for the Japanese market will be addressed. The Consorzio di Tutela will be a key player in the discussion panel dedicated to the key values of European agri-food excellence: safety, sustainability, authenticity, and quality, moderated by Diego Canga Fano, Director of Research and Development Geographical Indications of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. The appointment will take place in the spaces of the Osaka Expo on June 12 at Pavilion 2 “Festival Station – Stage.” “Buffalo DOP, like other EU origin-denominated products, is not just a cheese, but a story to bite into,” declares the director of the Consortium, Pier Maria Saccani, and explains: “Our product speaks of extraordinary landscapes and a centuries-old tradition, passed down from generation to generation. Buying it means bringing a piece of Italy and Europe to the table, made of culture, tradition, and sustainability. In Japan, where consumers are very attentive to the quality and meaning of food, these characteristics become powerful tools of differentiation. It is not just about taste, but about shared values: biodiversity protection, care for the territory, respect for the people who work there.” In the case of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, this strong identity has created a virtuous circle, “because it has generated employment, enhanced inland areas, and attracted a new type of tourism, food and wine tourism, which is also growing among Japanese visitors. It is a perfect example of how a DOP product can generate economic, social, and cultural value,” emphasizes the director. And all this despite the logistical difficulties that the Consortium has long encountered and reported, related to the shelf life of fresh products. “In Japan, for example, there is a great demand from the restaurant industry, and there would be ample room for growth,” says director Saccani, “but logistical difficulties need to be addressed and overcome. It is on these aspects that we seek dialogue with institutions: we want to bring our excellence wherever there is a consumer ready to appreciate it. And Japan, without a doubt, is one of these special places.”
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This article is automatically translated