Market research

Sweet potatoe market in Japan

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 Japanese sweet potato market volume decreased from 808.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 679.1 thousand tonnes in 2021. This downward trend aligned with the phased implementation of the revised Seed and Seedlings Law, which required farmers to obtain permits for on-farm propagation from April 2022. The regulatory preparation and dissemination of information during 2019-2021 created uncertainty, contributing to a temporary reduction in production.

A recovery began in 2022, with market size reaching 717.9 thousand tonnes, followed by stabilization at 721.7 thousand tonnes in 2023. This turnaround was facilitated by the introduction of improved cultivation manuals, the registration of new varieties such as 'Himeazuma', and immediate pest control actions after the detection of the sweet potato weevil. Additionally, export volumes hit a historical peak in 2022, boosting overall demand.

In subsequent years, climate change effects were observed, with reports of cultivation expanding into cooler regions like Hokkaido. New specialty varieties entered local markets, and government deliberations on a food security bill in 2025 highlighted the crop's strategic importance.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. 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 sweet potatoe in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan maintained the 18th position globally in sweet potato production volume.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Japan's sweet potato production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 671.9 K t, marking a slight drop of 2.3% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.5%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.0%)	(8.2%)	(2.3%)	(5.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, sweet potato production in Japan increased in 2021. The output was valued at 2 549 M $ US, showing a modest improvement of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 524 M $ US, with the largest decline of 5.8% occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.3%)	(5.8%)	1.0%	(3.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sweet potatoe from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from Japan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 5 603 t, representing a rise of 6.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 59.2%, with a CAGR of 16.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.5%	21.2%	6.4%	16.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong (48.8% of exports in kind), Thailand (20.4%), and Singapore (19.7%) led the export structure, together accounting for 88.9% of total flows.

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

Cross-border shipments of sweet potatoes from Japan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Japan exported 21 257 K $ US worth of sweet potatoes, which is 9.9% higher than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 70.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.4%	24.4%	9.9%	19.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Hong Kong (46.6% of exports in value terms), Thailand (22.0%), and Singapore (20.9%) were the main markets for Japan's sweet potato exports, jointly representing 89.6% of total flows.

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 sweet potatoe to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Sweet potato imports into Japan declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 12 824 t, corresponding to a fall of 3.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 18%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.2%)	(9.0%)	(3.9%)	(6.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China (47.8% of imports in kind), Vietnam (31.9%), and Indonesia (20.3%) formed the key group of partners for Japan's sweet potato imports, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

Foreign sweet potato supplies to Japan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Japan imported approximately 15 295 K $ US of sweet potatoes, showing a loss of 5.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 21%, with a CAGR of -7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 684 K $ US, with the largest decline of 22.0% occurring in 2020 and the largest increase of 6.8% in 2019.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.8%	(22.0%)	(5.1%)	(7.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In 2018-2021, Vietnam (52.3% of imports in value terms), China (25.3%), and Indonesia (22.4%) formed the main cluster of markets for Japan's sweet potato imports, with a combined share of 100.0% of total flows.

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