It was three decades ago, but Kazuhiko Ochiai still remembers his first taste of cheese when he visited France, a palate pleaser that inspired the former researcher to start producing his own variety in Japan. But he now frets that a massive EU-Japan trade deal could spark a flood
It was three decades ago, but Kazuhiko Ochiai still remembers his first taste of cheese when he visited France, a palate pleaser that inspired the former researcher to start producing his own variety in Japan.
But he now frets that a massive EU-Japan trade deal could spark a flood of cheap cheese imported from Europe that could take a generous slice out of his own business.
Ochiai makes five kinds of cheese, including brie and a variety similar to comte.
Business has boomed with sales of 20 million yen this year, up from just two million yen when he started a decade ago.
« We cannot keep up with the demand, » said the 74-year-old, who employs just a handful of staff.
But he acknowledged concern about the impact of the free-trade deal, which will eliminate the hefty 29.8-percent tariff currently imposed on imported cheese.
« I’m worried for the long term, » Ochiai told AFP at his small factory in the mountainous city of Nasushiobara in Tochigi Prefecture, as colleagues busily shaped and wrapped specialty cheeses.
« I think the price competition will be fierce. It’s hard for us to lower the price because it takes time and effort for small cheese makers, » he said, adding that milk is much cheaper in Europe than in Japan.
The deal signed in July — the largest ever negotiated by the EU — creates a huge free-trade area covering nearly one-third of global GDP, eliminating tariffs for everything from Japanese cars to French cheese.
