Mexico to Import Japanese Polished Rice

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) announced that Mexico will import Japanese polished rice to enhance the bilateral trade relationship between the countries. The ministry highlighted that Mexico will do so on a scientific and technical basis and following the necessary sanitary protocols.

During a workshop regarding the trade of Japanese polished rice, Victor Villalobos, Minister, SADER, highlighted that Mexico and Japan have increased agri-food trade in the past few years, following strict sanitary protocols. These health protocols are issued by the National Health, Safety and Agri-food Quality Service (SENASICA) to protect Mexican consumers. Villalobos pointed out that a clear example of the trade opening between the countries is that during the most complex stage regarding the issue of global animal health, Japan decided to keep importing Mexican pork. 

The event gathered officials from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister of Japan (MAFF), as well as representatives of importing companies and grocery stores from the Asian country. “This trade agreement puts a grain of rice to the bilateral relationship between Mexico and Japan,” says Villalobos. Furthermore, the minister underscored that the Japanese cereal has international recognition for its quality, flavor and nutrients.

Meanwhile, MAFF officials celebrated the decision to lift the ban on Japanese rice imports, which helps maintain high expectations for the marketing of a product that has been Japan’s signature since ancient times. On March 16, 2023, Japan’s polished rice met SENASICA’s Plant Health Protocol certifications, which determined that the cereal is free of brown flour weevils. 

In 2022, Mexico’s agri-food and fisheries trade balance with Japan registered a surplus of US$1.2 billion. Between 2018 and 2022, Mexico’s main export products to Japan were: pork, avocado, beef, tuna, bananas, zucchini, tequila, orange juice, shrimp and preserved citrus. On the other hand, Mexico’s imports from Japan included: food preparations, sauces, green tea, fish preserves, soups, fermented beverage mix, fish filets, whisky and vegetable seeds.