Rapeseed market in Japan, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The rapeseed market in Japan experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Initial growth to 2 363 thousand tons in 2019 was supported by strong global demand for oilseeds, partly due to the African swine fever outbreak in China affecting feedstock markets and leading to higher raw material costs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, reducing the market volume to 2 256 thousand tons. A recovery to 2 345 thousand tons in 2021 coincided with a sharp rise in rapeseed oil prices, reflecting ongoing supply constraints and rebounding demand.

A significant contraction occurred in 2022, with the market falling to 2 104 thousand tons following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which triggered raw material price surges and was compounded by a weaker yen increasing procurement costs. The decline continued to 2 025 thousand tons in 2023 as consumer preferences increasingly shifted toward alternative 'new oils' like flaxseed and rice oil, driven by growing health consciousness, which affected demand for rapeseed-based products.

Industry developments in later years included adjustments to U.S. tariff policies impacting global supply chains, prompting changes in procurement strategies among domestic processors. At the same time, demand expanded for specialty and supplement-like oils, such as flaxseed oil, reflecting sustained consumer interest in health-oriented products.

Production rapeseed in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rapeseed, 2018-2021

World map of production of rapeseed, 2018-2021

Japan's rapeseed production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 3 230 tonnes, marking a gradual decrease of 9.8% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production overall increased by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 130 tonnes, which saw a significant increase of 32.4% that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 13.3%.

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

Exports rapeseed from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Japan's rapeseed exports varied significantly, with volumes differing by 85 times from the low in 2020 to the high in 2018. In 2021, exports reached 0.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a steep year-on-year increase of 2,414.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 96.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, South Korea, and China were the leading destinations for Japan's rapeseed exports in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 58.9% of exports, followed by South Korea at 9.6% and China at 9.5%. Together, these three countries made up 78.0% 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, M $ US

Japan's rapeseed exports in value terms reached 11 million US dollars in 2021, up by 11.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, exports decreased by 33.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 10 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 44.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong dominated Japan's rapeseed exports in value terms, accounting for 99.1% of total 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 rapeseed to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Japan's rapeseed imports amounted to 2 342 thousand tonnes, showing a gradual gain of 4.0% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 359 thousand tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 2 252 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 4.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Canada was the dominant supplier of rapeseed to Japan in volume terms, taking 93.6% of total imports.

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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Japan's rapeseed imports in value terms increased in 2021, reaching 1 603 million US dollars, up by 66.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 42.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 965 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Canada consistently dominated Japan's rapeseed imports in value terms, accounting for 92.3% of total flows.

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

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