Import Business Expansion: Summit Trading Imports 70% of Japanese Food in UAE, Strengthening Regional Influence
Summit Trading Leads as Top Importer and Distributor of Japanese Food in the Middle East
The growth of Japanese restaurants in the UAE has been remarkable, with the number rising from 140 in 2013 to over 500 today. A significant contributor to this expansion is Summit Trading, a company that plays a leading role as the top importer and distributor of Japanese food products in the UAE and the broader Middle East.
Summit Trading, with nearly 50 years of presence in the region, has expanded its distribution network to serve more than 10 countries across the GCC and beyond. The company supplies around 70% of all Japanese food imports in the UAE, positioning the UAE as a key gateway for authentic Japanese cuisine into the Middle East.
The company's portfolio includes premium products such as bluefin tuna, halal-certified wagyu beef, and fresh seafood. It supports over 2,000 clients, including airlines, hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants that depend on authentic Japanese ingredients.
Under the leadership of Shiro Ohkubo, the UAE’s first Japanese Food Goodwill Ambassador, Summit Trading has driven a significant increase in Japanese food imports. From 400 million yen in 2012 to over 2.6 billion yen in 2022, the increase reflects both rising demand and growing cultural appreciation for Japanese cuisine in the region.
Summit Trading has a strong logistics network with hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, regularly conducting air freight for fresh Japanese seafood. It also actively promotes Japanese food culture through trade exhibitions, collaborations with chefs, and market development activities. The company plays a key role in helping Japanese producers enter Middle Eastern markets and fostering innovation in local Japanese cuisine offerings.
Summit Trading pioneered regular air freight services for fresh Japanese seafood in the region. It also operates Hinomaru Shokudo, an authentic Japanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi, which expanded in June 2024. In 2014, the company introduced halal-certified Japanese wagyu beef to Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Summit Trading runs the Summit WEB Store, a Japanese food e-commerce platform with over 2,000 products. During Expo 2020 Dubai, the company managed food logistics for the Japan Pavilion restaurant, Sushiro.
In addition to its business activities, Summit Trading has made efforts to promote Japanese food culture. Shiro Ohkubo launched a trilingual recipe website (Japanese, English, Arabic) in 2022. In the same year, he hosted a livestreamed Japanese cooking class in the UAE with support from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
In summary, Summit Trading acts as the central importer, distributor, and cultural promoter of Japanese food products in the Middle East, making it an essential enabler of Japanese cuisine’s regional growth and accessibility.
- Summit Trading's significant presence in the UAE has contributed to the growth of Japanese food culture, with the number of Japanese restaurants growing from 140 in 2013 to over 500 today.
- As the top importer and distributor of Japanese food products, Summit Trading supplies around 70% of all Japanese food imports in the UAE, positioning the nation as a key gateway for authentic Japanese cuisine into the Middle East.
- In addition to its business activities, Summit Trading has made efforts to promote Japanese food culture through trade exhibitions, collaborations with chefs, and launching a trilingual recipe website (Japanese, English, Arabic).
- Under the leadership of Shiro Ohkubo, the UAE’s first Japanese Food Goodwill Ambassador, Summit Trading has driven a significant increase in Japanese food imports, with revenue rising from 400 million yen in 2012 to over 2.6 billion yen in 2022.
- The company's diversified portfolio includes premium products like bluefin tuna, halal-certified wagyu beef, and fresh seafood, which it supplies to over 2,000 clients, including airlines, hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants in the UAE, GCC, and beyond.
