“The cozy couple: natural cheese and olive oil from Europe“ project, promoted by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Japan and co-financed by the European Union, aims to raise the awareness about the merits of European agricultural products and increasing exports by promoting Portuguese olive oil and natural cheese in Japan.

Olive oil and cheese are two European foods with high added value and a great appreciation in the Japanese market. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding properties, will be in the forefront for two years with initiatives and events dedicated to four main targets:

• Consumers
• Media
• Horeca
• Wholesaler

The project develops especially in Kansai as a strategic reference area: it represents the economic/urban region comprising Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto and it is a global power with real growth potential. It has a huge market with a population of more than 21 million people and a GDP of around USD 806 billion. Kansai’s regional economy is ranked 17th in the world.

The two years project focus as a first step on awareness and “creating the demand”, informing consumers, involving trend-setting chefs in the creation of online content/recipes, sponsoring high-visibility events such as the Portuguese Day) and on laying the foundations for imports (participation in Trade Fairs, seminars/guided tastings with the trade, also involving relevant associations such as the OSAJ (Olive Oil Sommelier Association of Japan).

In the second year, the project will aim to consolidate the positioning and increase intake by working above all on the possibility of tasting and on the availability of the products with activities such as restaurant weeks and tasting days in department stores.