Tomato market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese fresh tomato market experienced notable volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, starting at 733 thousand tons and ending at 687 thousand tons. An initial dip in 2018 coincided with a shift in consumer interest towards value-added functional tomato juice products, while the market for regular items softened. The market rebounded in 2021 when an AI-powered agricultural support system developed by NEC and Kagome was introduced, boosting tomato harvest yields by 30% and helping lift the total market volume to 734 thousand tons.

Following the 2021 peak, market volume declined over the next two years to 687 thousand tons by 2023. During this period, the cultivation area for mini-tomatoes increased, altering the product mix within the sector. In the later years captured by the analysis, several key factors emerged: climate change began posing significant production challenges, while strong consumer demand for health-oriented products like tomato juice—with sales jumping 130% in 2024—spurred greater domestic procurement efforts. The market also saw new entrants like Kikkoman and Nagano Tomato intensify competition in the processed segment, and record-high tomato prices in 2025 reflected ongoing supply constraints.

Production tomato in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

Japan's tomato production rebounded in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 725.2 thousand tons of tomatoes, representing a modest 2.7% increase from the previous year. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 706.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's tomato production was valued at 6 571 million US dollars, down 4.7% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 10.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 974 million US dollars, which also experienced the steepest drop of 18.3%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 15.4%.

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

Exports tomato from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's tomato exports grew for the third year in a row in 2021, reaching 82 tons. This marked a 3.0% year-over-year improvement. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 401.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 71.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong and Singapore were the primary destinations for Japan's tomato exports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.3% of total shipments.

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

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2020 at 779 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest point in 2018, resulting in a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan exported 744 thousand US dollars worth of tomatoes, a 4.5% decrease from 2020. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 258.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong and Singapore continued to be the main buyers of Japanese tomatoes in value terms, jointly representing 99.3% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports tomato to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's tomato imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 8 389 tons. This reflected a slight 4.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 8.8%, with a compound annual decline of 3.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 378 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.0%. In 2020, imports experienced the steepest drop of 6.8%.

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

During 2018-2021, South Korea, New Zealand, and Mexico were the leading suppliers of tomatoes to Japan in volume terms. South Korea accounted for 52.3% of imports, New Zealand for 12.7%, and Mexico for 10.5%, with their combined share reaching 75.5% of total 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Japan's tomato import value declined in 2021, standing at 33 814 thousand US dollars. This represented a gradual 3.3% reduction compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 34 982 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands remained the key suppliers of tomatoes to Japan in value terms. South Korea held a 40.0% share, Mexico 13.9%, and the Netherlands 13.5%, together accounting for 67.4% of total 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