Corn oil and fractions market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Japan's corn oil market volume declined from 80 185 t in 2018 to 69 975 t in 2020. The drop was accelerated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused labor shortages in Malaysia, disrupting palm oil supplies, while export restrictions from Indonesia contributed to higher prices and reduced import availability, affecting overall vegetable oil production.

Market recovery began in 2021, aided by a record rapeseed crop failure in Canada that boosted demand for alternative oils like corn oil. The expansion of vegetable oil use for biodiesel created an additional demand channel. In 2022, growing demand from processed foods and the foodservice sector supported the market, and a weaker yen made domestic production more competitive, helping lift volume to 74 650 t by 2023 despite ongoing pressure from global commodity prices linked to the war in Ukraine.

Subsequent years have seen continued consumer focus on health and clean-label products shaping preferences, while supportive policies such as the EU's renewable energy directive have underpinned industrial demand for vegetable oils in biodiesel and bio-lubricant applications.

Production corn oil and fractions in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Japan was among the world's leading producers of corn oil and fractions from 2018 to 2021, ranking fifth globally by production volume.

Top producers of corn oil and fractions, 2018-2021

World map of production of corn oil and fractions, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, Japan's production of corn oil and fractions increased in 2021. The country produced 73 441 tonnes that year, marking a slight year-on-year growth of 0.8%. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, however, production fell by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 72 845 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 9.8%.

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

Exports corn oil and fractions from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan exported 3 350 tonnes of corn oil and fractions, representing a strong increase of 14.4% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 085 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020 at 28.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 76.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's exports in volume terms were dominated by Malaysia and South Korea, which together accounted for 98.5% of total shipments. Other markets represented only a small fraction of exports.

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 exhibited considerable volatility during these years. They varied 2.5 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2021. In 2021, Japan's corn oil and fractions exports were valued at 4 515 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 72.4% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2020 at 12.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Malaysia and South Korea together accounted for 95.0% of Japan's corn oil and fractions export value. Malaysia contributed 53.3% of total flows, while South Korea accounted for 41.6%. Other trading partners made up the remaining 5.0%.

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

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

Imports corn oil and fractions to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced notable fluctuations during this period. They bottomed out in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 3 217-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan imported approximately 1 tonne of corn oil and fractions, representing a sharp decline of 97.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2020 at 58 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 321 611.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France was the dominant source for Japan's corn oil and fractions imports in volume terms, accounting for 88.9% of total imports. The remaining imports came from a diverse range of smaller suppliers.

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

Import values showed significant volatility during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 58-fold swing between these years. In 2021, Japan's corn oil and fractions imports were valued at 5 thousand US dollars, down by 95.9% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2020 at 127 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 5 675.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, France and the United States together accounted for 91.6% of Japan's corn oil and fractions import value. France contributed 67.1% of total flows, while the United States accounted for 24.5%. Other trading partners made up the remaining 8.4%.

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

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