The Philippines remains Japan’s main source of fresh fruit

Japan imported approximately 1.6 million tons of fresh fruit in 2017, worth US$ 2.14 billion. The leading exporters to Japan in value terms were the Philippines (37.7%), followed by the US (16.8%), New Zealand (14.4%), and Mexico (12.6%). The main fruits imported to Japan were banana (39.8%), followed by kiwi (14.7%), avocado (9.6%) and pineapple (5.9%). Japan’s domestic production of fresh fruit is declining as a result of its aging fruit farmers. The Philippines is the dominant supplier of both banana (80%) and pineapple (90%) to Japan. The US is the leading supplier of orange, lemon, grape and cherry with over 95% of the import share both in volume and value. New Zealand is the leading supplier of kiwi (over 90% in volume and value). The main supplier of avocado and melon is Mexico.

Japan produced 3.6 million tons of fresh fruit in 2015, according to data from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The main fruit produced was apple (22.4%), followed by mandarin (21.5%), watermelon (9.4%) and Japanese pear (6.8%). Despite government incentives, exports of Japanese fruits are low, totalling 37,400 tons in 2017. The main destination is Taiwan (60%), followed by Hong Kong (31%). The major fruits exported were apple (76.8%), Japanese pear (5%), peach (4.6%) and mandarin (3.9%).