Japanese Client Receives Royal Export Award

Danish Crown annually exports around 1,000 tonnes of processed pork from Denmark to Matsuya Foods Co., Ltd, a restaurant chain in Japan. The Japanese food market is deeply rooted in tradition and involves many intermediaries. Toshio Kawarabuki, the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company, is one of the pioneers in the foodservice industry to directly trade with Danish Crown. In recognition of this, Toshio Kawarabuki is being awarded the Diploma of the Danish Export Association & HRH Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour. The award ceremony, attended by HRH Crown Prince Frederik and the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen, is part of a large Danish export promotion campaign in Japan. Kawarabuki is being honoured for his role in initiating and driving the large-scale import of Danish pork by his restaurant chain. Søren Tinggaard, Associate Vice President at Danish Crown, praises Kawarabuki and his restaurant chain for their consistent partnership with Danish Crown, even during times of low prices. Kawarabuki has been a customer of Danish Crown for a decade, during which their partnership has evolved to focus on processed products for use in Japanese restaurants. Danish Crown has established a dedicated department at their factory in Ringsted, Denmark, employing 100 people. Significant investment has been made in equipment and employee training to deliver special products to Matsuya Foods Co., Ltd, including specific meat cuts and portion-sized raw materials. Danish Crown plans to maintain its strong relationship with Kawarabuki and explore new distribution channels. They aim to leverage their successful partnership model with Kawarabuki to establish relationships with other entities in the Japanese market. The HRH Prince Henrik Medal of Honour is given to individuals, distributors or Danish companies operating overseas. It recognises exceptional efforts in promoting Danish products and services abroad over several years.