Aubergines market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Japan's market for fresh or chilled aubergines experienced a gradual contraction from 301.8 thousand tonnes in 2019 to 288.8 thousand tonnes in 2023, a trend primarily linked to a long-term reduction in cultivated area over the preceding decade. This decline in planted land was partially offset by an 11% increase in yield per unit area, which softened the overall drop in production. Imports and exports remained negligible throughout the period, making domestic production the sole determinant of market volume.

Seasonal supply patterns saw summer peaks with aubergines sourced from nearby prefectures like Gunma, Tochigi, and Ibaraki, while winter and spring supplies were dominated by Kochi Prefecture, which also achieved notably high production efficiency. By 2023, the decade-long decrease in planted area, estimated at around 20%, was a key driver behind the lower output, though improved agricultural practices helped limit the volume loss. The market showed minor fluctuations, including a small dip in 2020 and relative stability in 2021, before resuming its downward path.

In 2024, aubergine prices were reported to have risen by 16% over two years, pressured by intense summer heat and elevated production costs. Concurrently, market distribution saw innovation with the Agricultural Research Institute deploying a dedicated logistics network and an IT platform to supply fresh, traceable aubergines to over 2 000 supermarkets nationwide, enhancing product access for consumers.

Production aubergines in Japan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan ranked 9th globally in aubergine production.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

In 2020, Japan produced 297.0 thousand tonnes of aubergines, a decrease of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 2.4%, while the highest increase was in 2019 at 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports aubergines from Japan

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 80 kg and peaked in 2020 at 7 057 kg, representing an 88-fold difference. In 2020, aubergine exports from Japan surged by 299.4% year-on-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 41.2%, while the highest increase occurred in 2019 at 2 108.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong accounted for 75.7% of total aubergine exports in volume, with the remaining share distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual portions.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2.8 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 42.7 thousand US dollars, a peak-to-trough ratio of 15 times. In 2020, aubergine exports from Japan increased by 331.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Hong Kong and Singapore formed a dominant pair of markets for aubergine exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 89.6% of total flows, while other countries represented the residual share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2017-2020

Imports aubergines to Japan

Imports in kind, kg

After two years of growth, foreign aubergine supplies to Japan declined. Imports reached their maximum in 2019 at 74 230 kg and fell to 46 316 kg in 2020, a decrease of 37.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 69.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea was the key and almost sole market for aubergine imports to Japan in volume, accounting for 97.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, the volume of aubergine imports to Japan declined. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 157.9 thousand US dollars, dropping to 103.7 thousand US dollars in 2020, a dramatic reduction of 34.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 34.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 47.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, South Korea clearly dominated the list of suppliers of aubergines to Japan, taking 93.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2017-2020