Japan: Buckwheat Market 2025

Buckwheat Market Size in Japan

In 2022, the Japanese buckwheat market increased by 3.9% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a perceptible decline. Buckwheat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Buckwheat Production in Japan

In value terms, buckwheat production fell significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 902%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of buckwheat in Japan rose to X kg per ha, growing by 3.9% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the yield increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average buckwheat yield reached the peak level at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The buckwheat harvested area in Japan reached X ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 4.1% against the previous year. The buckwheat harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Buckwheat Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, approx. X tons of buckwheat were exported from Japan; which is down by -50.8% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate measured growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 981% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, buckwheat exports fell significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 335% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), France (X tons) and Singapore (X tons) were the main destinations of buckwheat exports from Japan, together comprising 76% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +4.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), France ($X) and Singapore ($X) were the largest markets for buckwheat exported from Japan worldwide, together comprising 78% of total exports.

Singapore, with a CAGR of +7.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average buckwheat export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 254% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to South Africa ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Australia ($X per ton) and the United States ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mongolia (+50.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Buckwheat Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of buckwheat, when their volume increased by 11% to X tons. In general, imports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, buckwheat imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 27%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Russia (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of buckwheat imports to Japan, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +56.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Russia ($X) and China ($X) constituted the largest buckwheat suppliers to Japan, together comprising 88% of total imports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +58.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average buckwheat import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 13% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from China ($X per ton) and the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Russia ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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