Pa amb tomàquet and Catalan wines take centre stage at Catalan Week at the Osaka Expo

Catalonia will take centre stage at the Osaka World Expo (Japan) with Catalan Week, from 27 May to 1 June, inside the Spanish pavilion. In this context, Prodeca is organising a set of activities to project the strength and distinctiveness of Catalan cuisine before an international and demanding audience such as Japan's.

Catalonia's presence at the Expo comes under the concept "Catalonia, a land of innovation and the avant-garde", with the aim of championing a creative identity that also shows in the kitchen. Prodeca will run culinary activities to explain to the world our way of understanding food: rooted, healthy, diverse and open to the future.

Pa amb tomàquet workshops and Catalan wine masterclasses

Throughout the week the Lleida-born chef Josep Barahona, who has lived in Japan for more than 35 years and is chef at Tokyo's L'Estudi restaurant, will run pa amb tomàquet workshops, showing the richness of an emblematic, universal dish using Catalan products already present in the Japanese market. In each session participants can make their own version of this iconic dish with ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, fuet sausage, Garrotxa cheese, tinned fish and chocolate.
The programme will be completed by Catalan wine masterclasses led by sommelier and importer Òscar Salmerón, who will offer tastings of notable wines from across the country to show the diversity of landscapes and wines made in Catalonia.

Special activity with a Japanese influencer and institutional agenda

On Tuesday 27 May Prodeca has organised a special session bringing together chef Josep Barahona, sommelier Òscar Salmerón and the Japanese actress and influencer Emika Kamieda, known for her links with Catalan culture. The activity, which will generate experiential content for social media, aims to bring the Catalan culinary story closer to young Japanese audiences.

 

 

 

 

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On Wednesday 28 May there will be the Catalonia Day of Honour at the Expo, attended by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa. Prodeca will put together the institutional meal, a set of dishes designed to show the quality and versatility of Catalan agri-food products and the Catalan recipe repertoire.

In the words of Prodeca's managing director, Dèlia Perpiñà: "Taking part in the Expo is in line with Catalonia's recognition as World Region of Gastronomy 2025, a title that certifies the country as a benchmark in sustainability, quality and food culture. The activity strengthens the international outreach strategy of the Catalan agri-food sector in one of the world's most important and selective markets".

About the importance of the Japanese market

Japan is a high-value market for Catalan agri-food products. Its advanced economy, dependence on imports and high quality standards make it an ideal setting for companies looking to expand in this Asian country. With an ageing population and demanding consumers who value health, safety and innovation, entering the Japanese market requires strategy and adaptation.

It is the world's 3rd largest economy and one of the main food importers (the 7th). Around 42% of its food demand is met by imports, a major opportunity for Catalan companies. Consumption trends also point to growing demand for healthy, organic, gourmet and convenience products, areas where Catalonia has a recognised quality offering.

It currently Japan is the 10th destination worldwide for Catalan agri-food exports and the 4th outside the European Union, with exports reaching €456M in 2024, and one of the fastest-growing in recent years: over the past 10 years Catalan food and drink exports have grown by more than 85% in value. 

The meat sector stands out most, accounting for more than 77% of export value. Pork is the most exported product. Other significant products are cava, olive oil and Fine Food items such as vegetable juices, waters, beers, snacks, ready meals, sweets and cocoa.