Mushrooms and truffles market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Japanese market for fresh mushrooms and truffles experienced fluctuations, with a notable decline in 2019 to 458.1 thousand tons. This drop occurred amid ongoing strict radioactivity standards and inspection protocols for cultivated mushrooms, which were reaffirmed in 2018. These regulations ensured controlled production but may have constrained market volume initially. Subsequently, the market stabilized around 463-463.9 thousand tons through 2021-2022, showing minimal year-to-year movement.

In 2023, market volume jumped by 5.8% to 489.6 thousand tons. This surge coincided with a breakthrough in truffle cultivation: the Gifu Prefecture Forest Research Institute successfully achieved Japan's first artificial cultivation of black truffles, following earlier success with white truffles in 2022. This innovation opened avenues for domestic truffle production, stimulating overall mushroom output.

In 2025, the market landscape was shaped by new truffle-based products, such as truffle-infused mushroom paste and limited-edition dishes in fast-food chains, boosting consumption. At the same time, shipment restrictions on wild mushrooms due to radioactive contamination persisted in several prefectures, and the government revised its approach to radioactivity inspection plans and shipment limits effective July 2025, reflecting evolving regulatory oversight.

Production mushrooms and truffles in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan held the second position globally in the production of mushrooms and truffles.

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 462.0 K t of mushrooms and truffles, showing little change from the previous year. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 456.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 2.4%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 1.3%.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's exports of mushrooms and truffles grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volume reached 1 173 t, marking an 11.7% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 841 t, which saw the largest decline of 9.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 24.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong, accounting for 42.6% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 31.7%, and Singapore at 9.0%, formed the core group of markets for Japan's exports in kind. Together, they represented 83.3% 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, K $ US

Japan's cross-border shipments of mushrooms and truffles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 5 756 K $ US, showing a solid 13.8% advance compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 96.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.2%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Hong Kong, with 47.1% of exports in value terms, Asia not elsewhere specified at 24.0%, and the United States at 9.8%, formed the core of Japan's exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 81.0% 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 mushrooms and truffles to Japan

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Japan's imports of mushrooms and truffles stood at 3 039 t, reflecting a moderate 9.0% year-over-year advance. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 789 t, which saw the largest decline of 4.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China was the primary supplier of mushrooms and truffles to Japan, taking 81.4% of total imports in kind, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

After a two-year decline, Japan's imports of mushrooms and truffles from abroad increased. In 2021, imports totaled 61 320 K $ US, up by 6.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 57 587 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 2.7%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, China, with 58.9% of imports in value terms, Italy at 15.4%, and Canada at 7.3%, consistently remained the main sources for Japan's imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 81.6% of total import flows.

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

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