Garlic market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for fresh or chilled garlic in Japan rose from 42 065 t to 44 027 t. This growth was primarily supported by increasing imports, which were dominated by lower-priced Chinese garlic, making it more accessible to consumers than domestic production. Although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced potential logistical challenges, supply chains for fresh and chilled garlic remained operational, allowing the market to expand further.

The market reached its peak at 44 673 t in 2021, after which it saw a modest decline to 43 992 t by 2023. Two key factors contributed to this shift: the rapid expansion of the frozen food segment, which includes frozen garlic products and redirected some demand away from fresh garlic, and amendments to food labeling laws that introduced stricter requirements for functional foods, affecting product presentation and market dynamics. Throughout this period, a growing consumer focus on health and wellness continued to sustain underlying interest in garlic.

Industry analyses for the later years of the period highlight continued logistics optimization within the frozen food sector and the emergence of new product segments, such as single-plate frozen meals. These trends, which began influencing the market earlier, point to an evolving structure of demand for garlic in Japan.

Production garlic in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of garlic, 2018-2021

World map of production of garlic, 2018-2021

Garlic production in Japan rose for two consecutive years before declining in 2021. That year, production reached 20 200 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 4.7% compared to 2020. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 21 200 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 3.0%.

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

Exports garlic from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's garlic exports showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1 tonne, before climbing to 7 tonnes in 2021. This represents a substantial 50.3% increase from the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2019 was 6.2-fold. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 70.9%, while the most significant increase happened in 2020 with growth of 309.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States and Singapore were the primary destinations for Japan's garlic exports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

Japan's garlic export values exhibited considerable volatility during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 000 US dollars, before surging to 54 000 US dollars in 2021. This represents a sharp year-over-year increase of 133.6%. The difference between the 2021 peak and the 2019 trough was 2.3-fold. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 42.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Singapore, and Mongolia were the main destinations for Japan's garlic exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 47.4% of export value, Singapore for 17.4%, and Mongolia for 15.8%. Together, these three markets represented 80.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's garlic imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 24 480 tonnes. This represents a 7.2% year-over-year gain. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 11.9% overall, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, China was the dominant source for Japan's garlic imports in volume terms, supplying 91.4% of total imports.

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 garlic import values rose for the third straight year in 2021, reaching approximately 54 233 000 US dollars. This constitutes a 10.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values grew by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Japan's garlic imports in value terms, accounting for 82.0% of total import value. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

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

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