Bangkok--21 Feb--JETRO
To boast fine food products from Kyushu, a blessed island abundant with agricultural and marine products, a major food supply base in Japan
Kyushu accounts for 20% of agricultural product yield value in Japan
Import of Japanese food to Thailand rises 26% and is to increase thanks to more efficient transportation
The Japan External Trade Organization or JETRO Bangkok today holds ‘Kyushu, Japan Food Promotion 2007’, a showcase of food exhibition and cooking demonstration to promote high-quality foods from Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan where fertility is excellent. The event is held at the Arnoma Hotel.
Mr. Yoichi Kato, JETRO Bangkok President, said in the opening remark “ ‘Kyushu, Japan Food Promotion 2007’ is an activity under ‘Japan Food Fair’ campaign, a themed event initiated by JETRO Bangkok since 2004. ‘Japan Food Fair’ serves two purposes: First, to promote exports of Japanese food to Thailand. And second, to introduce authentic Japanese cuisine to Thai people as well as encourage them to discover more gastronomic experiences, by trying new dishes, ingredients, dining culture and cooking recipes.”
Mr. Seiji Tazo, Trade Promotion Director, JETRO Bangkok, said “Thailand is ranked 6th among countries with the highest import value of Japanese food. Thailand imports more than 100 items or over 4,000 products of Japanese food, overall value totaling 141,645,000 US Dollars in 2005. Popular items include sashimi grade tuna, sanma fish, miso, hotate-shell, and apple. Major cities that import Japanese food are Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Sri Racha. Thailand’s import of Japanese food grew from 112,338,000 US Dollars in 2003 to 141,645,000 US Dollars in 2005, or by 26%. The import trend is expected to rise because high-quality food has been a new health trend in Thailand. Plus, food ordering and transportation are made easier.”
Mr. Tazo continued “Kyushu was selected to be the theme of this year since the island boasts a number of fine food and has success story which get the brand image of its quality in some cases. Kyushu is one of the parts of Japan's "food supply center". Kyushu soil is fertile, mainly because it derives from volcanic ashes of Aso-san, the massive volcanic caldera standing in the center of the island. Kyushu sea is abundant with high-quality fishes and marine products. This is why the theme of the Kyushu, Japan Food Promotion 2007 event is entitled ‘Blessings the Nature Brings’.”
Mr. Tazo said “Kyushu food products that are exhibited today include: fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, dried fish, processed foods such as jelly, kon-nya-ku, and miso, as well as alcoholic drinks. The highlight products of this year are:
STRAWBERRY “Hinoshizuku”, so-called ‘Raindrop from the Sunshine’
One of the best strawberry types in Japan. Strawberry “Hinoshizuku” has a larger size and is claimed to have the sweetest taste in the world. It symbolizes luck and good cheers due to its red color, and has a positive meaning. It is priced approximately 35-40 Baht apiece.
MELON “Arus”, so-called ‘The King of the Japanese Fruits’
Arus Melon is the most sought-after gift. It is cherished for its beautiful netted skin, permeating fragrance as perfume from musk deer does, and the refreshingly sweet taste. The highest price of Arus melon in Japan is more than 7,000 Baht apiece.
TUNA: Blue Fin Tuna “Kuro Maguro”
Kuro Maguro tastes very uniquely delicious due to the freshness and high fat and oil content. Kuro Maguro is of the biggest size compared to other four tuna species. The full-grown Kuro Maguro is 300 cm. long. Kuro Maguro is transported by air to preserve t he freshness and is served fresh and raw as sashimi.
MACKEREL: Horse Mackerel and Japanese Mackerel “Seiki Aji and Seiki Saba”
Seiki Aji and Seiki Saba are very hard to find. Kyushu fishermen capture the fishes one by one using fish hook, from the Bungo Channel, a strait separating Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku where the current is very strong. The fishes grown there has larger, tighter and more elastic body, therefore are considered the best aji-fish and saba-fish in Japan.
DRIED MACKEREL: Dried “Aji”
Aji fish is captured fresh from the clean sea, and dried using a Japanese-style traditional process to preserve the natural fat and oil content. It is very popular in Japan as a main dish in Japanese food because it has a good taste and contains high health benefits.
KON-NYA-KU “Hontenobe”
Kon-nya-ku is one of the most healthful foods in Japan and in the world. Konnyaku has been regarded a s fiber-rich, non-fat, very low-calorie food for a long time. Kon-nya-ku is now available in various types and forms such as noodles, cube, and jelly, to better serve multiple usage purposes
“Japanese food is delicious and very healthful. It is as much a feast for the eyes as a feast for palate because Japanese food is well-known for the ingredient quality, meticulous arrangements, mental and physical health benefits, and emphasis on seasonality of food,” Mr. Kato concluded.
Kyushu, Japan Food Promotion 2007 is organized out of the concerted cooperation among JETRO Bangkok and JETRO offices in Kyushu region, including Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
Kyushu, Japan Food Promotion 2007 aims to attract 300 interested businessmen from Thailand’s food industry groups, particularly retailers, importers, wholesalers of Japanese food, leading Japanese restaurants and hotels.
The first two “Japan Food Fair” in 2004 and 2005 resulted in over 6,400 business discussions on site and attracted nearly 80,000 visitors to both fairs.
For more information, please contact:
Chutima Duangpanich, PR Dept., JETRO Bangkok, Tel. 0 2553 6441 ext. 147