Market research

Milk market in Japan

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Japan's milk market volume grew from 7.3 million tons to 7.5 million tons. This expansion was driven by an increase in large-scale dairy farms, encouraged by rising milk prices, and a shift in consumer preference towards unstandardized milk. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic raised feed and energy costs, the industry passed on price increases to maintain production.

Market growth continued through 2022, reaching 7.6 million tons, albeit at a slower pace. However, in 2023 volume fell sharply to 7.3 million tons. This decline coincided with sustained dairy price inflation, which began in 2020 due to higher imported feed and energy costs. High retail prices likely dampened consumer purchases, leading to a supply-demand imbalance.

In response, dairy organizations strengthened cooperation in 2025 to improve supply-demand management. A comprehensive five-year modernization policy for the dairy sector was launched, and raw milk prices were raised to support producers. Initiatives like the 'Milk Smile Project' aimed to stimulate consumption through events and information campaigns.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Japan
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Japan ranked as the 24th largest milk producer during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of milk, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Japan's milk production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 7 592 thousand tons of milk, marking a modest increase of 2.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.3%	1.7%	2.1%	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's milk output was valued at 18 560 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.1% increase from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 17 335 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.4% drop.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.4%)	(0.0%)	7.1%	(0.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's milk exports expanded for the third year in a row. In 2021, export volume reached 9 661 tons, representing a robust 17.1% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 77.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.4%	29.4%	17.1%	21.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong and unspecified Asian countries dominated Japan's milk exports in volume, jointly accounting for 82.4% of total flows, while other countries held significantly smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Japan's milk export value continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 23.6 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 22.8% over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 69.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.4%	27.2%	22.8%	19.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Hong Kong (62.4% of export value), unspecified Asian countries (15.9%), and Singapore (11.5%) were the key export partners, together accounting for 89.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's milk imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 26 299 tons, showing a sharp decrease of 38.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 51.6%, with an average annual decline of 21.5%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.8%)	(16.2%)	(38.1%)	(21.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand (29.5% of import volume), the United States (19.5%), and Australia (17.6%) were the main sources for Japan's milk imports, jointly accounting for 66.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Japan's milk import value dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 79.8 million US dollars, down 33.8% from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 123.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.3%	(2.6%)	(33.8%)	(11.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, New Zealand (28.2% of import value), Australia (18.9%), and the United States (18.4%) remained the key import partners, together accounting for 65.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io