Iwate Shorthorn (Japanese Shorthorn / Iwate Tankaku) Beef

Iwate Tankaku Gyu (いわて短角牛) · Iwate Prefecture (Kuji, Iwaizumi highlands) — Japanese Shorthorn breed
Meat & Seafood Wagyu Chilled Growing export

Unlike marbled Japanese Black, Iwate Shorthorn (Tankaku) is a lean, grass-and-pasture-raised native Japanese breed with deep umami and lower fat, appealing to chefs seeking flavor over marbling. It is one of only a handful of native Japanese cattle breeds and is positioned as a sustainability/heritage story. Limited export volumes reach high-end Western restaurants interested in lean wagyu alternatives. Processed at approved abattoirs and shipped chilled or frozen.

The supplierProducer group raising Japanese Shorthorn under pasture/'sansou' grazing model; heritage-breed positioning.
Why it sells abroadNative lean Japanese breed; flavor-forward, lower-fat wagyu alternative; heritage/sustainability angle

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsJapanese Shorthorn breed raised in Iwate (confirmed brand). Wagyu/Japanese-beef export requires importing-country-approved abattoir (confirmed framework). NLBC traceability standard. Pasture-raised/sustainability claims: plausible (Japanese Shorthorn is largely pasture-reared) but no formal certification verified. GI registration of 'Iwate Tankaku Gyu' not confirmed. Note: Japanese Shorthorn is one of the four wagyu breeds but is not a marbled Japanese Black; positioning differs.
Pack formatsVacuum primal; portion steaks.
Shelf lifeChilled vacuum ~30-45 days; frozen ~12-18 months.
StorageFrozen -18C or below; chilled vacuum 0-2C.
Minimum orderTypical: small (boutique)
Lead timeTypical: 4-6 weeks (EU cert adds time)
CapacityTypical: small heritage-breed volume
Container loadTypical: LCL/consolidated
PricingTypical: $40-90/kg (leaner = lower than A5 marbled)
OEM / private labelLimited (small production volume).
Wholesale & MOQChilled 0-2C vacuum or frozen -18C; small MOQ
Key exporters & distributorsIwate regional exporters, Zen-Noh
Export regulationProcessed at MAFF export-listed (incl. EU-approved) facilities for EU shipments; MAFF health cert. Japanese beef permitted to US, EU, HK, SG; BANNED in mainland China and Korea. HS 0201/0202.
Market demandNiche chef demand in EU/US for lean wagyu
How to source itJA Iwate (Shin-Iwate) -> regional exporter -> EU/US importer.
Verified sourceshttps://www.maff.go.jp/e/oishii/ingredients/wagyu_japanese_beef.html (wagyu export/abattoir framework, breeds incl. Japanese Shorthorn)
MakerJA Shin-Iwate / Iwate Japanese Shorthorn producers
OriginIwate Prefecture (Kuji, Iwaizumi highlands) — Japanese Shorthorn breed
CategoryMeat & Seafood / Wagyu
Available inUS, HK, SG, EU
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelFoodservice
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0201 / 0202
+ Add to list

Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.