Market research

Potato market in Japan, 2026

Release date: Mar 27, 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

The fresh potato market in Japan peaked at 2 430 thousand tonnes in 2019 after growing from 2 288 thousand tonnes in 2018. It then contracted to 2 228 thousand tonnes in 2020 and remained nearly stable in 2021 at 2 222 thousand tonnes.

A recovery began in 2022 as the market volume rose to 2 326 thousand tonnes and reached 2 403 thousand tonnes in 2023, nearing the 2019 level. Domestic production followed a similar pattern, increasing from 2 175 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 2 364 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, distribution reforms, including the relocation to the Toyosu Market and amendments to the Wholesale Market Law, started transforming the fresh produce supply chain. By 2025, adverse weather conditions in Hokkaido, which accounts for about 80% of Japan's potato production, led to a significant crop shortfall. Simultaneously, yen depreciation and higher import costs boosted demand for domestic potatoes, while consumer preferences shifted toward convenient and premium products.

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. 4.2. 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 potato in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan ranked as the 29th largest potato producer globally during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of potato, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of potato, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Japan's potato production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 2 175 thousand tonnes of potatoes, representing a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%. Production peaked in 2019 at 2 399 thousand tonnes, which was a 6.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when production dropped by 8.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.2%	(8.1%)	(1.4%)	(1.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports potato from Japan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a five-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan exported 62 tonnes of potatoes, marking a substantial 79.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 304 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 197.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	197.8%	67.3%	(79.6%)	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Hong Kong and Malaysia were the dominant buyers of Japanese potatoes, together accounting for 93.0% of total export volume, while other partners played a less significant role.

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, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export value reached its lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan exported $281 thousand worth of potatoes, representing a 37.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at $449 thousand. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when export value rose by 135.9%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	135.9%	85.1%	(37.6%)	39.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Hong Kong dominated Japan's potato export market in value terms, accounting for 83.9% of total export value, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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 potato to Japan

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volume reached its lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan imported 47 390 tonnes of potatoes, representing a sharp 104.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 23 198 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when imports fell by 25.7%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.4%	(25.7%)	104.3%	18.4%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Japan's potato import market in volume terms was extremely concentrated, with the United States alone responsible for 99.9% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import value reached its lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan's potato import value reached $29 147 thousand, representing a substantial 118.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at $13 336 thousand. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when import value fell by 25.6%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.0%	(25.6%)	118.6%	22.8%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Japan's potato imports in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in the United States, which accounted for 99.8% of total import value.

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