Genuine Kobe Beef

For generations, Kobe Beef has stood as a symbol of culinary luxury, revered by celebrities, royalty, and gourmet enthusiasts across the globe. Renowned for its intense marbling, buttery texture, and sophisticated flavor profile, Kobe beef offers a dining experience that remains unparalleled. Interestingly, the exceptional quality of this beef even inspired the naming of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Recognized as the most prestigious Wagyu brand in the world, Kobe beef is often described as the Rolls-Royce of beef, epitomizing opulence and excellence in every bite.

The Kobe beef supply is carefully curated from just 12 Tajima Fullblood bulls each year, selected by the government for their superior traits. Only about 10% of the 5,500 eligible cattle are exported annually from a select group of certified farmers, ensuring that only the finest beef bears the prestigious Kobe label.

The esteemed reputation of Kobe beef is maintained through rigorous production standards set by the Kobe Beef Association. To bear the iconic Japanese chrysanthemum mark, certified Kobe beef must meet stringent criteria:

• Derived from the Tajima bloodline, raised and processed exclusively in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, mirroring the exclusivity of true Champagne from France's Champagne region.

• Graded A5 or A4, with a Beef Marbling Score (BMS) of 6 or above.

• Adheres to additional conditions listed on their website here.

Any Wagyu labeled as "Kobe" outside these standards is not genuine Kobe Beef.

In 2024, Trex proudly signed up the most Kobe Beef accounts in the nation, earning us a prestigious industry award in recognition of our leadership and dedication. As an Official Certified Importer of Kobe Beef, we work closely with the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association to ensure the authenticity and integrity of every cut we distribute.

Sales of genuine Kobe Beef are strictly limited to members of the Kobe Beef Association—which includes certified farms, wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants. All certified establishments are officially listed on the Kobe Beef Marketing Association’s website.

Carrying Kobe Beef significantly enhances your brand’s prestige. It communicates a commitment to excellence and signals to your customers that your establishment offers only the most exclusive and highest-quality culinary experiences. This distinction sets you apart as a leader in a competitive industry.

Interested in becoming a certified Kobe Beef retailer?
Please contact us—we’re here to help you elevate your business with one of the most celebrated delicacies in the world.

Trex: Leading the Way in Kobe Beef Excellence

In 2024, Trex proudly signed up the most Kobe Beef accounts in the nation, earning us a prestigious industry award in recognition of our leadership and dedication. As an Official Certified Importer of Kobe Beef, we work closely with the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association to ensure the authenticity and integrity of every cut we distribute.

Sales of genuine Kobe Beef are strictly limited to members of the Kobe Beef Association—which includes certified farms, wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants. All certified establishments are officially listed on the Kobe Beef Marketing Association’s website.

Carrying Kobe Beef significantly enhances your brand’s prestige. It communicates a commitment to excellence and signals to your customers that your establishment offers only the most exclusive and highest-quality culinary experiences. This distinction sets you apart as a leader in a competitive industry.

Back-to-Back Kobe Beef Gold Award Winner: 2024 & 2025

Trex’s commitment to excellence has been recognized on the world stage. We are proud to have won the Kobe Beef Gold Award in both 2024 and 2025 at the renowned Japanese Wagyu World Auction held at the prestigious Himeji Wagyu Master event in Hyogo Prefecture.

This exclusive auction draws buyers from around the globe, providing a unique opportunity to source the highest quality Wagyu directly from Japan’s elite producers. Securing the Kobe Beef Gold Award two years in a row is a testament to Trex’s dedication to sourcing only the finest, most authentic Kobe Beef for our clients.

Our award-winning sourcing ensures that when you partner with Trex, you receive Kobe Beef of unparalleled quality, setting your offerings apart in an exclusive market.

Mark Melnick, the former president of Trex, is celebrated as a trailblazer in the Japanese Wagyu industry and continues to be one of its most impactful figures. He independently developed Trex into one of the premier importers of Japanese Wagyu, firmly establishing the company as a market leader in the U.S. His unparalleled expertise and steadfast dedication have established benchmarks for excellence, quality, and authenticity within the industry.

Mark holds the position of Commissioner and Official Inspector for Kobe Beef in the United States, a role that underscores his essential contribution to preserving the integrity and prestige of Kobe beef across the nation.

Learn more here.

The pedigree information and production history of your beef can be conveniently traced using the 10-digit ID number found on the Wagyu certificate. This number is available at the retailer or restaurant where you purchased the Kobe Beef. This system enables you to verify the authenticity of your Kobe Beef.

Link to the certification system