Japanese agricultural and aquatic products have been exported strongly
International Business News – Japanese agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports remain strong, with the total export value for 2022 increasing 14% from the previous year. Scallops and rice are popular in Asia. In the three years under the COVID-19, Japanese food has penetrated into households, seizing the demand for cooking at home and semi-finished dishes such as side dishes, which has largely driven exports. Currently, visitors to Japan are also recovering, and further market development is expected.
According to data released by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recently, exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food in 2022 increased 14.3% year-on-year to ¥114.48 billion. The sense of cheapness brought by the depreciation of the yen has become a eastwind, and the export figures have set a new historical high for 10 consecutive years.
The most significant growth was in marine products. Exports of scallops reached 127,805 tons, up 10.5%. In addition to China and Southeast Asia, which are strong in scallops for sushi, “the way to make scallop dishes at home has penetrated into Taiwan, and the use of scallops in family meals has increased” (related personnel in export business). Exports to the United States have also increased due to the depreciation of the yen.
Export of Japanese snapper (fresh and frozen) is 4247 tons, an increase of 32.6%. Centered on Southeast Asia, retail stores’ side dishes and restaurant take-out consumption have grown, and the increase of the Japanese restaurant has also become a trend. The exported live yellowtail is 5331 tons, an increase of 13.9%. The texture with teeth is popular in Korea, and Korean importers say, “Many make sets from sashimi to tempura from one fish.”
In addition, Japanese rice is expanding its market with measures to enhance freshness. Exports excluding aid rice increased 26.7% to 20,928 tons. Hong Kong and Singapore accounted for 50% of the total. Pacific International Holdings (PPIH), which operates discount stores“Tongji Kidd”, is expanding the sale of rice milled in stores in various countries and regions.
The selling point is that it is fresher than ordinary Japanese-made rice milled before importing. You can specify the purchase amount and degree of milled rice when purchasing in the store. Tongji Kidd also sells bento and rice balls made with this rice, “gaining popularity with its freshness and sweetness”.
