Watermelons and melons market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for fresh watermelons and melons in Japan expanded slightly to 501.3 thousand tons. This period was characterized by melons becoming the most cultivated greenhouse vegetable in the country, reflecting sustained high consumer demand. Advances in cultivation methods and selective breeding supported production, while the 2018 amendment to the Food Sanitation Act introduced new safety regulations for food producers, potentially influencing operational standards.

The market volume contracted to 475.6 thousand tons in 2020, primarily due to disruptions in manufacturing and distribution caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery followed in 2021, with the market growing to 483.4 thousand tons amidst a broader upward trend in food industry production. Concurrently, enhanced measures to combat viral diseases affecting melons and watermelons, promoted through the principles of 'prevent, do not increase, do not spread,' helped protect crop yields.

From 2022 onward, the market experienced a decline, reaching 469.1 thousand tons in 2022 and 459.5 thousand tons in 2023. During this time, market dynamics were influenced by the launch of novel hybrid products like the 'watermelon melon,' which combined the crisp texture of watermelon with melon sweetness, diversifying consumer choice. Furthermore, in 2022, the Consumer Affairs Agency mandated Kirin Beverage to ensure transparent labeling of melon juice content following a packaging issue, raising information standards for consumers. Ongoing efforts to prevent viral diseases like CCYV continued to focus on maintaining product quality.

Production watermelons and melons in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan was among the world's leading producers of watermelons and melons from 2018 to 2021, ranking 30th globally by production volume.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 469.6 K t of watermelons and melons, marking a slight increase of 2.4% compared to 2020. Production peaked in 2019 at 480.2 K t, then fell to its lowest point in 2020 at 458.8 K t, representing a decline of 4.5% that year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After a two-year decline, watermelon and melon production in Japan rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 3 963 M $ US, showing a robust year-over-year increase of 11.1%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 568 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 9.1%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Japan's exports of watermelons and melons increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1 191 t, a strong uptick of 16.4% compared to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 124.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 31.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong was the central partner for Japan's exports of watermelons and melons in kind, accounting for 88.5% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

Japan's exports of watermelons and melons in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, totalling 10 053 K $ US, which is 26.3% higher than in 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 117.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong was the dominant buyer of watermelons and melons from Japan in value terms, accounting for 86.2% of total exports, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's imports of watermelons and melons in kind declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, amounting to 14 970 t, down by 16.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Mexico, the United States, and Australia—together accounted for 77.5% of Japan's total imports of watermelons and melons in kind.

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

Japan's imports of watermelons and melons in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 24 593 K $ US, up by 5.3% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 7.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Australia, and the United States made the biggest contributions to Japan's imports of watermelons and melons in value terms, with shares of 29.8%, 23.6%, and 18.3%, respectively, jointly accounting for 71.7% 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