Ambassador of Japan to Qatar H E Satoshi Maeda and others at the opening of the Japanese Fruits Week. PIC: Joelyn Baluyut/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Japan aims to increase its overseas exports of agricultural products, particularly focusing on its renowned fruits. Ambassador of Japan to Qatar H E Satoshi Maeda announced this initiative at the opening of the Japanese Fruits Week at Junko Restaurant in The-Pearl Qatar yesterday.
Running until Monday, January 22, the event showcases a diverse range of Japanese fruit products, including crown melon, white/pink/red strawberry, organic Anno sweet potato, grape, apple, lemon, Haruka juice, and Dekopon juice.
In his address, Ambassador Maeda highlighted Japan’s ability to produce a variety of fruits and vegetables due to its rich geographical diversity and natural environment. He stressed that the increasing trend in overseas exports reflects the global appreciation for Japanese producers’ commitment to “safety and security,” in addition to the exceptional taste of their products.
Acknowledging the high quality and perceived unaffordability of Japanese fruits, the envoy expressed confidence in the Qatari people’s appreciation for luxury products, drawing parallels with high-end Japanese brands like Lexus.
A fruit tasting session allowed participants to savour the rich flavours and freshness of Japanese fruits, reinforcing the commitment to enhance their presence in the Qatari market.
“Because of the high quality of Japanese fruits, their prices are inevitably high, and some say they are unaffordable, but I am 100% sure that Qatari people are best suited in the world in understanding high-end, high-quality Japanese products such as Lexus and other car brands.”
Chairman of the Japan Fruit and Vegetables Export Council (J-FEC), Yoshihisa Hishinuma, said this was the inaugural Japanese Fruits Week event in the country, aiming to introduce high-quality Japanese fruits to Qatar and foster business opportunities.
Prior to the event, Japanese fruit producers engaged in business meetings with Qatari buyers, including restaurants and supermarkets, paving the way for potential collaborations. Among the five producers and companies that came all the way from Japan are Shizuoka Prefectural Greenhouse Agricultural Cooperative Crown Melon Branch, H.E. Foodways Inc., Samurai Summit Co. Ltd., JA Hiroshima Kazitsuren, and Syuka-en Co., Ltd..
Hishinuma hoped the event would create a network to expand the distribution of Japanese fruits and vegetables in Qatar.
Various Japanese officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, along with local and international entrepreneurs, attended the event. A fruit tasting session allowed participants to savour the rich flavours and freshness of Japanese fruits, reinforcing the commitment to enhance their presence in the Qatari market.
