Browse Data and Analysis

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions of Japan’s maximum residue levels for four agricultural chemicals (Butachlor, Etofenprox, Spinetoram, and Prallethrin) for various agricultural commodities.

On April 1, 2025, Japan formally lifted the mandatory aflatoxin testing requirements on U.S. almonds compliant with the new almond export protocol.

This report highlights the harmonization of specific liquor taxes on alcoholic beverages that took effect on Oct.1st, 2024. U.S. exports of these products are not directly affected, but exporters should be aware of these changes.

Japan's vegetable oil and protein feed markets are mature and stable. While surging commodity prices and the shipping crisis impacted Japan's oilseed and product imports in the past, the situation has normalized.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of the Government of Japan (GOJ) convened a meeting of the “Food Sanitation Standards Council, Newly Developed Food Investigation Committee” on February 21, 2025, to discuss the establishment of food safety standards for cell cultured foods.

In 2024, Japan's food processing sector had a 3.9 percent increase in the value of food produced, totaling $174 billion. Production increases occurred in dairy, alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee and cocoa, and health foods.

Japanese production of fluid milk is projected to fall again in 2014, though a modest recovery is anticipated in 2015.

As Japan’s Ministry of Finance announced import statistics ending June 2014 for wheat, Post has finalized the 2013/2014 marketing year (MY) import number in its PS&D.

On October 7, 2014, the Government of Japan announced proposed standards of use for Canthaxanthin (a food additive) and changes to the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for seven agricultural chemicals.

On September 9 and 10, ATO Tokyo teamed up with 11 cooperators and importers to create a U.S. food pavilion at the Kuze Tradeshow.

Japan’s fresh-cut vegetable market is growing despite the fact that the country’s overall vegetable consumption continues to decline.

In 2013, Japanese potato production decreased by 3.5 percent to 2.41 million metric tons.