Summit Trading drives 70% of Japanese food imports in the UAE as it expands regional footprint

Summit Trading, a leading importer and distributor of Japanese food products in the Middle East, now supplies approximately 70 per cent of all Japanese food distributed in the UAE, underscoring the country’s role as a gateway for authentic Japanese cuisine in the region.

The company’s sustained growth reflects a broader regional appetite for Japanese food, driven by cultural interest, rising restaurant demand, and Summit’s robust logistics network. As a long-established player in the UAE, Summit Trading has become a key enabler for food service operators and consumers seeking authentic Japanese ingredients, not only in the UAE but across more than 10 countries in the GCC and beyond.

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Shiro Ohkubo, managing director of Summit Trading and the region’s first appointed Japanese Food Goodwill Ambassador, said: “The UAE is rapidly becoming a global centre for food logistics, and Summit Trading has worked to position it as the key gateway for Japanese food into the Middle East."

"Over the last decade, we’ve seen Japanese food imports into the UAE increase from 400 million yen to over 2.6 billion yen. This growth mirrors a deeper cultural appreciation for Japanese cuisine and shows how food can create lasting bridges between nations," he added.

Founded over 47 years ago, Summit Trading sources 80% of its products directly from Japan, working closely with manufacturers, cooperatives, and distributors. With logistics hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the company serves over 2,000 clients across the region — from national airlines and five-star hotels to embassies, celebrity chefs, and leading supermarkets.

Summit Trading was the first company to introduce halal-certified Japanese wagyu beef to Dubai in 2014, and later to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It also pioneered regular air freight services for fresh Japanese seafood — a category previously limited to frozen imports in the region. During Expo 2020 Dubai, the company managed food logistics for the Japan Pavilion restaurant, Sushiro, handling over 500 product categories and helping the restaurant achieve its highest monthly sales among 64 international outlets.

Beyond logistics, Summit Trading plays an active role in cultural engagement. In 2022, Ohkubo hosted a livestreamed Japanese cooking class in the UAE with support from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. He also launched a trilingual recipe website (Japanese, English, Arabic) to help audiences explore traditional and fusion Japanese dishes. The company has also supported major events such as the FIFA World Cup 2022, AFC Asian Cup 2024, and several diplomatic receptions.

"Our mission goes far beyond importing food," said Ohkubo. "We aim to introduce the heart of Japanese culture through its cuisine, and to build long-term trust with our partners and customers across the Middle East. It’s about offering quality, education, and a shared cultural experience."

Today, Summit Trading operates Hinomaru Shokudo, an authentic Japanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi, which expanded in June 2024 to cater to growing local demand. The company also runs the Summit WEB Store, a Japanese food e-commerce platform offering over 2,000 products —complete with mobile app, online payment, and the first Arabic-language Japanese food site in the region.

As the number of Japanese restaurants in the UAE has grown from just 140 in 2013 to over 500 today, Summit Trading continues to play a vital role in that expansion. Through seminars, consultations, and chef exchange programmes, Ohkubo and his team support entrepreneurs looking to enter the Japanese dining space and ensure their long-term success through stable ingredient supply and deep cultural understanding.