Australia continues to strengthen its relationship with Japan, helping to unlock more export opportunities for Australian farmers and producers and supporting strong agricultural supply chains.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry First Assistant Secretary for Trade and International 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.
Japan is a valued partner and Australia's third largest export market for agricultural trade, with two-way trade valued at $6.4 billion in 2025.
Today's 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 two of the region's most trusted agricultural partners.
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 4th-largest supplier of agricultural product, and their largest supplier of beef, sugar, oranges and barley, second-largest supplier of canola, and third-largest supplier of wheat.
Dr 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 lifting varietal restrictions on Australian mangoes and table grapes.
Dr Greenville said today's talks highlighted the importance of the Australia-Japan agricultural partnership, and that both countries could continue to create opportunities for farmers, producers and exporters while contributing to regional food security.
"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," he 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.
"Today's constructive discussions have reaffirmed Australia and Japan's shared commitment to maintaining secure, reliable and sustainable food security for our region.
"Our cooperation with Japan will benefit all Australians, including our farmers, producers and exporters.
"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."
The talks complement ongoing work by the Australian Government to develop the National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia.
