Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Japan's market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream experienced notable shifts in volume. Domestic production increased from 207 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 259.1 thousand tons in 2022, before contracting to 232.7 thousand tons in 2023. The overall market size, reflecting apparent consumption, grew to a high of 289.1 thousand tons in 2020 but then entered a sustained decline, falling to 239.4 thousand tons by 2023. This occurred alongside a steady and significant reduction in import volumes, which dropped from 54.2 thousand tons in 2018 to just 13.8 thousand tons in 2023.

The market dynamics in 2022 were influenced by specific regulatory and economic factors. An amendment to the law concerning price adjustments for sugar and sweetened products subjected imported sweetened products to new levies designed to support domestic sugar, making import clearance conditional on submitting letters of consent. This change contributed to a further decline in imports while domestic production reached its highest level. Concurrently, rising prices for sweetened products and the impact of a weak yen reduced consumer demand, leading to a contraction in total market volume. Major players in the sector also intensified product launches and inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions, sharpening market competition.

Following 2023, trade data shows a partial reversal in import trends, with volumes recovering to 32.1 thousand tons in 2024 and 35.9 thousand tons in 2025. Exports, which had seen a temporary surge to 12.0 thousand tons in 2022, returned to lower levels of around 1.1–1.5 thousand tons in 2024–2025.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan maintained the 23rd position globally in terms of production volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream.

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2018-2021

Japan's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output reached 253.7 K t, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Japan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 170 t, then surged to 1 695 t in 2021, representing a 898.0% year-over-year increase. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 38.3%. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 10 between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—Singapore, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Malaysia—collectively accounted for 66.0% of Japan's total exports in volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream.

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

Market behavior during these years was marked by volatility. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1.5 M $ US, then jumped to 6.3 M $ US in 2021, a sharp 318.1% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 45.5%. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 4.2 between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Asia (not elsewhere specified), Hong Kong, and Singapore—together absorbed 59.2% of Japan's total export value for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 26 143 t, a 38.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 51.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the primary suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Japan were New Zealand (29.5% of import volume), the United States (19.6%), and Australia (17.7%), jointly accounting for 66.8% of total imports in volume.

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 concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import value stood at 79.0 M $ US, showing an abrupt 34.2% decrease year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 123.4 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 7.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 31.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the largest suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Japan in value terms were New Zealand (28.3% of import value), Australia (19.0%), and the United States (18.5%), together forming 65.7% of total imports in value.

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

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