Earlier this week, representatives from Western Japan’s largest department store, Hankyu, travelled to Cornwall to learn more about the region’s food and drink brands.
Hosted by Cornwall Trade and Investment and the Great Cornish Food Store, Hankyu – which likens itself to Selfridges, spent two days sampling some of Cornwall’s finest produce with a view to putting the region centre stage at its British Week event next year.
Set up in 1970, the Hankyu British Fair is the longest-running commercial British-themed fair in Japan and sees around half a million Japanese customers visiting each year.
Should Hanyku decide to feature Cornwall as the main region at its 2023 fair, a number of Cornish food and drink brands would be invited to participate in person.
Director of Trade & Investment at CTI, Nicola Lloyd commented:
“We are seeing a growing interest from Japan in what Cornwall has to offer – with Hankyu being just one example of discussions.
“Hankyu’s British Fair is a fantastic opportunity for Cornwall’s food and drink producers to learn more about the Japanese market and generate interest in the region’s products.”
In 2020, the UK signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, which strengthened the export market. UK trade with Japan is estimated to grow by around £15bn over the next five years.
Ruth Huxley, Managing Director of the Great Cornish Food Store commented:
“In 2013 I visited Hankyu’s British Fair in Japan; it’s an extremely popular event, and a huge celebration of British products. I knew it could present an amazing opportunity for Cornwall to feature in the future, and I’m really delighted that the region may be a focus of the fair in 2023”
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