Japan: Pear Market 2025

Pear Market Size in Japan

After three years of decline, the Japanese pear market increased by 2% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Pear Production in Japan

In value terms, pear production rose markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. Pear production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of pears in Japan expanded significantly to X tons per ha in 2021, growing by 7.6% compared with the year before. Overall, the yield, however, showed a mild contraction. Over the period under review, the average pear yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of pears were harvested in Japan; shrinking by -3.3% on the year before. In general, the harvested area recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with a decrease of -2%. The pear harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Pear Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, shipments abroad of pears was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -30.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pear exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +23.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Hong Kong SAR (X tons) was the main destination for pear exports from Japan, accounting for a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, pear exports to Hong Kong SAR exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), fourfold. Thailand (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Hong Kong SAR totaled +11.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-10.9% per year) and Thailand (+17.3% per year).

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) remains the key foreign market for pears exports from Japan, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Hong Kong SAR stood at +13.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-10.4% per year) and Thailand (+14.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average pear export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($X per ton) and the United States ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Pear Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, approx. X kg of pears were imported into Japan; approximately mirroring 2020 figures. In general, imports saw a precipitous descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 67%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pear imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a significant decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 117%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Korea (X tons) was the main supplier of pear to Japan, with a 10,839% share of total imports. It was followed by France (X kg), with an 110% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from South Korea totaled -15.7%.

In value terms, South Korea ($X) constituted the largest supplier of pears to Japan, comprising 821% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 25% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from South Korea totaled -13.1%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average pear import price amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+10.5%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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