Japan–Australia Food Security Talks

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s First Assistant Secretary for Trade and International Division, Dr Jared Greenville, delivered an opening message on behalf of Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins, alongside Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Norikazu Suzuki, at the inaugural Japan–Australia Food Security Talks on 15 September.

Japan is Australia’s third largest export market for agricultural trade, with two-way trade valued at $6.4bn in 2025.

The talks focused on practical action to strengthen food security, support resilient agricultural supply chains during times of global uncertainty, and promote trade and investment between the two regions. Discussion centred on food security policy, critical agricultural inputs, innovation and the role of government and industry in supporting food production and keeping food moving from producers to consumers.

Australia is Japan’s fourth-largest supplier of agricultural product, largest supplier of beef, sugar, oranges and barley, second-largest supplier of canola, and third-largest supplier of wheat.

Greenville said Australia had been working hard to secure more opportunities for Australia’s farmers and producers to export Australia’s world-class products to Japan. This included through the expanded Australia–Japan organics equivalence arrangement, the signing of the Australia–Japan Statement of Intent on Modernising Agri-Food Value Chains, and the lifting of varietal restrictions on Australian mangoes and table grapes.

“Japan is one of Australia’s most important agricultural trading partners and a trusted friend, making these discussions an important opportunity to strengthen our cooperation on food security and supply chains across the region,” Greenville said.

“Australia and Japan share a strong commitment to open, rules-based trade, which helps ensure consumers have access to safe, reliable and affordable food, evening during times of global uncertainty.

“We look forward to continuing our bilateral cooperation with Japan, to support exporting more of Australia’s world-class products, and to help strengthen food security for our nations.”

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