Grapes market in Japan, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Japan's grape market increased in 2019 to 250 thousand tons, supported by the lifting of the import ban on Australian grapes, which boosted import supplies. From 2020 to 2023, the market gradually contracted to 221 thousand tons, as imports declined while domestic production experienced modest fluctuations. The introduction of new seedless, high-sugar varieties like 'Sunshine Red' and 'Queen Rouge', alongside the enhanced intellectual property protection under the revised Seed and Seedling Law, helped sustain grower incentives and product innovation throughout this period.

In value terms, the market grew until 2021, reaching $3 951 million, partly driven by rising wholesale prices for major fruits noted in 2018. A sharp decline to $3 058 million followed in 2022 and 2023, reflecting potential shifts in price levels or consumption patterns, including a greater focus on domestic production and evolving variety mixes.

Shifts in consumer preference towards high-sugar, edible-skin grape varieties stimulated the development and launch of new cultivars such as 'Sunshine Red' and 'Fuji no Kagayaki'. These trends, combined with the ongoing implementation of the revised Seed and Seedling Law, reinforced the market's orientation towards quality differentiation and intellectual property protection for premium Japanese grapes.

Production grapes in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of grapes, 2018-2021

World map of production of grapes, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, Japan's grape production volume increased in 2021. The country produced 165.1 thousand tonnes of grapes, marking a slight gain of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 163.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Grape production in Japan increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. The output was valued at 3 790 million US dollars, representing a 2.8% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%.

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

Exports grapes from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's grape exports increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1 838 tonnes. This represents a 7.3% rise from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 23.1%, with an annualized rate of 7.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 387 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 23.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the key destinations for Japan's grape exports in kind, jointly accounting for 93.5% of total flows. Other partners held much smaller individual shares.

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

Japan's grape exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, amounting to 42.2 million US dollars. This reflects a controlled increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 42.4%, with an annualized rate of 12.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 29.3 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 1.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 31.9%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong and Asia, not elsewhere specified, clearly dominated Japan's grape exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.7% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports grapes to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Grape imports into Japan declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 68 246 tonnes. This constitutes a substantial decrease of 10.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 78 672 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Chile, and Australia remained the key partners for Japan's grape imports in kind. The United States accounted for 55.2% of imports, Chile for 17.1%, and Australia for 16.4%, together making up 88.7% of total flows.

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 grape imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, coming to 202.9 million US dollars. This is 6.5% weaker than the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 8.9%, with an annualized rate of -3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 237.5 million US dollars, which saw an increase of 6.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 8.7%.

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

In 2018 to 2021, the United States, Australia, and Chile remained the principal suppliers of grapes to Japan in value terms. The United States accounted for 58.5% of imports, Australia for 16.4%, and Chile for 13.7%, jointly making up 88.7% of total imports.

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

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