Persimmons market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Japan's fresh persimmon market volume fluctuated, starting at 207 thousand tons before falling to a low of 187 thousand tons in 2021. Production followed a similar pattern, peaking at 216 thousand tons in 2022 but declining to 185 thousand tons the following year.

In value terms, the market rose from $1.06 billion in 2018 to $1.17 billion in 2021, indicating higher per-unit prices even as physical volume shrank. This trend reversed sharply in 2023, with the market's value dropping to $867 million alongside the lower production volume.

The sector's development during this period was influenced by broader agricultural trends, including the adoption of smart farming technologies aimed at improving production efficiency and quality. Furthermore, the growth of the frozen food market, driven by consumer demand for convenience, presented potential new channels for persimmon utilization.

Production persimmons in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan maintained the third position globally in persimmon production volume.

Top producers of persimmons, 2018-2021

World map of production of persimmons, 2018-2021

Japan's persimmon production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 187.9 K t, a decrease of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 9.7%, with an annualized decline of 3.3%. The highest production was recorded in 2019 at 208.2 K t, which saw a slight increase of 0.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 7.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Japan's persimmon production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 169 M $ US, marking a moderate rise of 6.8% compared to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 9.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

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

Exports persimmons from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Persimmon exports from Japan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 644.6 t, which is 11.6% lower than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 7.1%, with an annualized decline of 2.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 829.3 t, which saw a significant increase of 19.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 12.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand and Hong Kong accounted for 91.5% of Japan's total persimmon exports in volume, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

Persimmon exports from Japan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 4 009 K $ US, indicating a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 12.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 248 K $ US, which saw an increase of 19.5%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Thailand and Hong Kong were the core markets for Japan's persimmon exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.8% of total flows, while other destinations held comparatively modest 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 persimmons to Japan

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Japan's persimmon import volumes declined. In 2021, imports came to 14.0 t, a sharp drop of 64.1% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 2.8%, with an annualized decline of 1.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 39.1 t, following a large increase of 67.7% in 2019.

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

In 2018–2021, the United States, with 52.7% of total flows, and New Zealand, with 40.8%, together formed 93.5% of Japan's persimmon imports in volume, while other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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 advance, Japan's persimmon import value declined. In 2021, imports totaled 92 K $ US, marking a dramatic fall of 48.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 9.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.2%. The peak was in 2020 at 177 K $ US, which saw an increase of 53.0%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, New Zealand and the United States clearly dominated Japan's persimmon imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 96.7% of total flows, whereas other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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