Cabbages market in Japan, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese cabbage market volume declined from 1.59 million metric tons in 2018 to 1.45 million metric tons in 2023, primarily due to a sharp, sustained drop in imports from 127 thousand metric tons to just 12 thousand metric tons. Domestic production remained relatively stable but was influenced by weather events; in 2018, autumn typhoons and unfavorable conditions reduced domestic supply, increasing reliance on imported cabbage, mainly from China. The market saw a brief recovery in 2021, reaching 1.51 million metric tons, as favorable growing conditions in Japan boosted domestic harvests while COVID-19-related disruptions in China limited alternative supply.

Weather continued to be a key driver, with unseasonable conditions in 2022 leading to poorer harvests and contributing to a slight dip in production. This pattern of weather-related supply volatility extended into 2025, when extreme summer heat, a December cold wave, and insufficient rainfall severely delayed cabbage growth in major winter production regions like Aichi, Shizuoka, and Kyushu. The shortage forced major processors like Salad Club to temporarily reduce package sizes and significantly increase the use of imported cabbage, with January 2025 imports surging 42-fold compared to the same month a year earlier.

This supply crisis in early 2025 was compounded by broader economic factors, including rising fuel prices and labor shortages in logistics, which pushed up transportation costs. Consequently, cabbage prices soared to approximately three times their average level, placing strain on households and food service businesses. These events highlight the market's ongoing sensitivity to climate variability and its increasing dependence on import adjustments to buffer domestic shortfalls.

Production cabbages in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan was among the world's leading cabbage producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 6th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of cabbages, 2018-2021

World map of production of cabbages, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 1,485 thousand tonnes of cabbages, representing a 3.6% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 1,434 thousand tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 2.6% during this period.

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

Exports cabbages from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's cabbage exports grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1.9 thousand tonnes. This represents a robust 16.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 91.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's cabbage exports were highly concentrated geographically, with Hong Kong and Singapore together accounting for 90.4% of total export volume. Other trading partners represented only a small fraction of the overall flows.

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, K $ US

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,427 thousand US dollars, while exports peaked in 2020 at 3,359 thousand US dollars - a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan exported 3,005 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, representing a 10.6% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.1%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2020 at 135.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong and Singapore dominated Japan's cabbage exports in value terms, together accounting for 93.5% of total export revenue. Other markets played a comparatively minor role in Japan's export structure.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Japan's cabbage imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, falling to 21.5 thousand tonnes. This represents a sharp 52.5% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports dropped by 83%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 44.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Japan's cabbage import structure in volume terms, accounting for 73.4% of total imports. Other source countries held comparatively modest shares in Japan's import market.

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, K $ US

Japan's cabbage imports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 19,413 thousand US dollars. This represents a steep 37.2% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import values decreased by 77.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 39.3%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, two markets - the United States and China - together accounted for 83.2% of Japan's cabbage import value. The remaining imports were distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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