Apples, pears and quinces market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Japan contracted between 2018 and 2023, with production falling from 1 015 thousand tons to 807 thousand tons and market size declining from 983 thousand tons to 777 thousand tons. This overall drop was led by a persistent decrease in apple output, particularly from Aomori Prefecture which supplies around 60% of the country's apples. The industry faced structural challenges such as labor shortages and high establishment costs for new orchards, which kept production on a downward trend.

In response, growers accelerated the adoption of high‑density planting and other yield‑improving technologies. The COVID‑19 pandemic also reshaped distribution, pushing more sales toward direct channels like home delivery and farm‑stand sales, which helped maintain consumer access despite lockdowns. At the same time, export promotion to Taiwan and other Southeast Asian markets provided an additional outlet, though exports remained modest relative to total production.

Raw material prices for processing apples stayed elevated, squeezing margins for juice and other processed products. Globally, supply tightness in the EU and the United States had little direct effect on Japan, while China’s rising apple production did not significantly alter import flows. Throughout the period, the shift away from wholesale markets toward more direct farmer‑to‑consumer sales continued to redefine the market’s structure.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan ranked 17th globally in apple, pear, and quince production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 868.2 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a 9.7% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 14.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.1%. The only increase during this time occurred in 2020, with a modest rise of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of apples, pears, and quinces in Japan was valued at 3.48 billion US dollars, reflecting a gradual 5.4% decline compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 8.7%, averaging an annualized drop of 3.0%. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 7.3%, while 2020 saw a rebound with a 4.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Japan

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Japan exported 39,042 tons of apples, pears, and quinces, representing a significant 38.9% year-over-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 8.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 28,116 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 24.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Asia, not elsewhere specified, and Hong Kong were the primary buyers of Japanese apples, pears, and quinces, together accounting for 94.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan exported 156.5 million US dollars worth of apples, pears, and quinces, showing a sharp 45.6% year-over-year uptick. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 107.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, two key markets—Asia, not elsewhere specified, and Hong Kong—dominated Japan's apple, pear, and quince exports in value terms, collectively capturing 93.5% of total flows. The rest was spread across other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's imports of apples, pears, and quinces increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume reached 8,284 tons, a strong 11.3% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 120.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Japan's imports in volume were heavily concentrated on New Zealand, which supplied 97.0% of the total.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Japan's imports of apples, pears, and quinces rose for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 19.4 million US dollars, a robust 15.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value jumped by 138.8%, with a CAGR of 33.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand served as the main source for Japan's apple, pear, and quince imports, consistently accounting for 96.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021