Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese market for tea in packings ≤3 kg began the period at 86 851 tons in 2018, but faced a declining domestic demand for green tea and a shrinking population, leading the industry to focus more on exports where it achieved higher unit prices. This export orientation, however, was challenged in 2019 by a contraction in shipments to Hong Kong. A significant reduction in cultivation area and the number of tea farms culminated in 2020, causing a sharp fall in domestic production and pulling the market volume down to 70 706 tons.

Market volume recovered to 79 417 tons in 2021, driven by a surge in at-home consumption and online sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by government subsidies for export market development. Despite strong export growth to markets like the United States and Taiwan in 2022, a continued decline in domestic production limited the overall market size. In 2023, the market grew to 75 380 tons, supported by a structural consumer shift where annual consumption of green tea beverages rose by around 20%, offsetting a decline in leaf tea purchases, while industry efforts to harmonize international pesticide residue standards facilitated further export expansion.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

On a global scale, Japan ranked as the 11th largest producer of tea in packings of 3 kg or less during the period from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2018-2021

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, Japan's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less rebounded in 2021. The country produced 78 100 tonnes that year, marking an 11.9% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 69 800 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 14.6%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two consecutive years of contraction, the value of Japan's tea production in packings of 3 kg or less rose in 2021. Output reached 3 433 million US dollars, representing a 13.7% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, the production value grew by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 020 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.6%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased for the second year in a row in 2021. Export volumes reached 2 301 tonnes, up 19.6% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 819 tonnes, which also saw the most significant decline of 15.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore were the primary markets for Japan's tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less. The United States accounted for 38.9% of export volumes, while Hong Kong and Singapore each represented 8.1%. Together, these three markets comprised 55.1% of Japan's total tea 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 cross-border shipments of tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Export value reached 101.1 million US dollars, showing a solid year-on-year growth of 21.5%. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 69.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Hong Kong, and Canada led the value structure of Japan's tea exports. The United States accounted for 47.6% of export value, Hong Kong for 8.0%, and Canada for 6.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented 62.2% of Japan's total tea export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan imported 3 618 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in 2021, a 27.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import volumes grew by 33.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 8.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Sri Lanka, and India were the key sources for Japan's tea imports in packings of 3 kg or less. China accounted for 41.4% of import volumes, Sri Lanka for 27.5%, and India for 8.5%. Together, these three countries supplied 77.5% of Japan's total tea import volumes.

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

Japan imported 63.5 million US dollars worth of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in 2021, marking a 45.5% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 38.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 43.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.2%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Sri Lanka, China, and India consistently remained the main destinations for Japan's tea imports in value terms. Sri Lanka accounted for 29.7% of import value, China for 18.5%, and India for 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of Japan's total tea import value.

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

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