Browse Data and Analysis

FAS/Tokyo estimates lower wheat and barley production in Marketing Year (MY)2024/25 from the previous year as unfavorable weather conditions and disease outbreak have reduced yields in main production regions.

The retail industry in Japan remained stable despite the continued strength of the U.S. dollar vs. the Japanese yen. To drive demand, retailers have strategically targeted the younger generation who seek easy-to-prepare, frozen, and ready-to-eat foods.

On August 27, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) registered geographical indication (GI) protection for Pineapple Huaymun from Thailand, which is the third Thai GI item registered in Japan.

Throughout summer 2024, Japan has been grappling with a table rice shortage resulting in empty supermarket as demand outpaced production for the last three years causing stocks to deplete to their lowest levels in over 20 years.

FAS/Tokyo forecasts cattle inventory expands in 2025 on greater cow beginning stocks and a moderate pace of slaughtering from 2024.

FAS/Tokyo projects that in 2024 as well as 2025 Japan’s annual poultry production will expand to meet strong demand for domestically produced chicken.

This year ATO Osaka organized various promotional activities across western Japan, reaching 24 million consumer through in-person events, print, television, radio, and social media. ATO Osaka hosted the largest USA pavilion ever at the FABEX Kansai trade show and debuted the first-ever USA pavilion at the Food Style Kyushu trade show.

Japan’s MY 2022/23 mandarin production recovers from last year’s historically lowest production. However, overall Japanese citrus planted area and production is on a downward trend amidst aging farmers, labor shortages, and a lack of successors for running farms.

The Japanese food market was valued at $564 billion in 2022 with retail sales accounting for $327 billion (58 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $237 billion (42 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply.

The Government of Japan announced a new economic stimulus package of 17 trillion yen ($113 billion) on November 2, 2023.

Japan has decided to fully enact the revised Clean Wood Act from April 1, 2025.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 5 agricultural chemicals (Flonicamid, Fluoxastrobin, Polyoxorim-zinc, Prothiofos, and 3-Nitrooxypropanol) for various agricultural commodities.