Lemons and limes market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lemons and limes in Japan expanded to 64 500 t in 2019, a 4% increase from 62 014 t in 2018, largely driven by growing health consciousness which heightened demand for citrus. Subsequently, market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 52 739 t by 2021, before stabilizing around 54 000 t in 2022–2023.

Domestic lemon production has followed a sustained upward trajectory since the 1990s, with cultivated area and harvest volume multiplying over the decades. This expansion has fostered the development of regional brands such as Hiroshima Lemon and spurred cultivation in Ehime, Wakayama and Miyazaki prefectures, reinforcing the presence of home‑grown fruit in the market.

Activity among major Japanese beverage and food companies has intensified. Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage consolidated its role in the lemon‑juice segment and renewed its organic lemon product line, while Asahi Beer rolled out its unsweetened gin‑based lemon sour ‘GINON Lime’ nationwide. Concurrently, the market for lemon extracts and compounds continued to grow, supported by consumer preference for natural and functional ingredients.

Production lemons and limes in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

Japan's production of lemons and limes declined in 2021, following two consecutive years of growth. The country produced 8,587 tonnes that year, showing only a slight variation from the 2020 figure. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The peak was reached in 2020 at 8,621 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 12.9%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Japan

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Japan's exports of lemons and limes amounted to 0.2 tonnes, remaining largely unchanged from the previous year. Over the three-year span from 2019 to 2021, exports grew substantially by 123.3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 30.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's exports of lemons and limes were dominated by three key markets: China accounted for 42.4% of the volume, Asia (not elsewhere specified) made up 30.9%, and Hong Kong contributed 26.6%. Together, these three destinations represented the entirety of Japan's export flows in this category.

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

The value of Japan's lemon and lime exports in 2021 stood at 0.0 million US dollars, showing little change compared to 2020. Between 2019 and 2021, export values increased by 34.8%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 10.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Asia (not elsewhere specified) and China were the leading destinations for Japan's lemon and lime exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.9% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's imports of lemons and limes fell for the second year in a row in 2021, totaling 44,152 tonnes—a decrease of 5.6% from 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, imports declined by 19.6%, with an average annual drop of 7.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 56,497 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, when imports fell by 17.2%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, with a rise of 2.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Chile were the main sources of Japan's lemon and lime imports by volume, together supplying 88.5% of the total. The rest came from various smaller markets.

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 lemons and limes in value terms decreased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 88.0 million US dollars—a 7.4% drop from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, import values fell by 28%, with an average annual decline of 10.4%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, the United States and Chile continued to be the primary suppliers of lemons and limes to Japan in monetary terms, jointly holding an 85.5% share of total import value. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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