Pears market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the fresh pear market in Japan contracted significantly, falling from 257 thousand tons to 197 thousand tons. This decline occurred against a backdrop of diminishing domestic consumption, which the government sought to counter by strengthening agricultural export policies. While the COVID-19 pandemic heightened consumer focus on health and boosted demand for pears as a functional food, this trend did not offset the overall market volume decrease during this period.

Market volume rebounded in 2021 and 2022, reaching 221 thousand tons. The recovery was driven primarily by the widespread adoption of automation and labor-saving technologies in domestic production facilities, which enhanced output efficiency. This was complemented by regulatory updates to pear packaging and labeling requirements, improving consumer information. The following year, growth was further supported by active development of new pear varieties and processed products to meet changing tastes, alongside the rapid expansion of e-commerce channels, which broadened market access.

In 2023, the market volume declined by 9% to 202 thousand tons. This contraction took place even as major domestic producers invested in new large-scale production facilities and government agricultural support policies continued to promote technological innovation and quality improvement in the sector. Concurrently, strong consumer trends favoring organic produce and environmentally conscious farming remained influential in shaping the market landscape.

Production pears in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan ranked 12th globally in pear production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of pears, 2018-2021

World map of production of pears, 2018-2021

Following two years of decline, Japan's pear production volume increased in 2021. That year, Japan produced 206.2 thousand tons of pears, representing a 4.0% year-over-year gain. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, production actually decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 198.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, the value of Japan's pear production increased in 2021. The output was valued at 1 375 million US dollars, marking a solid 15.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value grew by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 193 million US dollars, which experienced a decline of 3.2%.

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

Exports pears from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of contraction, Japan's pear exports in volume terms increased in 2021. Exports reached 1 313 tons, showing a robust 10.5% improvement from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 30.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 189 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 27.0% drop.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong and Asia, not elsewhere specified formed the dominant pair of markets for Japan's pear exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 85.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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 pear export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Exports were recorded at 8 754 thousand US dollars, marking a 22.4% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 101 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 21.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, two leading markets—Hong Kong and Asia, not elsewhere specified—together accounted for 87.6% of Japan's total pear exports in value terms. The remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of 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 pears to Japan

Imports in kind, t

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the structure of Japan's pear imports in volume terms was dominated by a single market: Madagascar, which accounted for 100.0% 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, K $ US

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Madagascar remained the dominant and nearly exclusive source for Japan's pear imports in value terms, with a share of 100.0%.

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

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