Ginger market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The ginger market in Japan showed considerable volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Underlying consumer interest, driven by growing awareness of ginger's health benefits and the rising popularity of ginger-based drinks like ginger ale, provided consistent support for demand. This trend was evident in the market's resilience, with annual consumption remaining above 100,000 tonnes for most of the period, despite a noticeable dip in 2020.

Market volume partially recovered in 2021 and 2022, bolstered by specific industry developments. The launch of new functional products, such as Specnova's organic fermented ginger extract 'GingerT3' for joint support, created a new segment and stimulated demand for ginger as a raw material. Additionally, corporate activity like Oterra's acquisition of Akay Group aimed at strengthening the supply chain for related ingredients. However, total market volume declined again in 2023, even as health-conscious trends and the expansion of craft ginger ale varieties persisted.

Production ginger in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan ranked 9th globally in ginger production.

Top producers of ginger, 2018-2021

World map of production of ginger, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, ginger production in Japan rebounded in 2021, reaching 48 500 tonnes. This marked an 8.5% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 44 700 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of ginger output in Japan surged to 731.6 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-on-year increase of 37.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, production value rose by 49.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 14.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a decline of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports ginger from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's ginger exports continued to decline for the second consecutive year in 2021, with export volume totaling 18 tonnes—a 17.4% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 21.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong, the United States, and Vietnam dominated Japan's ginger export structure in volume terms, accounting for 48.7%, 19.5%, and 11.7% of exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 79.8% of total export 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, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's ginger exports in value terms reached 0.3 million US dollars, showing a moderate uptick of 4.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 20.0%, while 2020 experienced the most significant decline of 10.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong, the United States, and Thailand were the primary buyers of Japanese ginger in value terms, with shares of 48.5%, 13.1%, and 9.1% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 70.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ginger to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's ginger import volume declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 54 219 tonnes—a 5.2% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 15.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.5%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, China played the leading role in Japan's ginger imports by volume, holding a 75.5% share of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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 ginger import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 121.1 million US dollars—a 13.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 21.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China was the central partner in Japan's ginger import structure by value, accounting for 74.5% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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