Japan: Yams Market 2025

Yams Market Size in Japan

The Japanese yams market declined modestly to $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Yams Production in Japan

In value terms, yams production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yams yield in Japan was estimated at X tons per ha, increasing by 1.9% on 2021 figures. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the yield increased by 9.6%. The yams yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, 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 2022, approx. X ha of yams were harvested in Japan; approximately mirroring 2021. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 3% against the previous year. The yams harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Yams Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, exports of yams from Japan expanded significantly to X tons, growing by 5.5% compared with 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, yams exports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Singapore (X tons) were the main destinations of yams exports from Japan, with a combined 92% share of total exports. Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 6.5%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Hong Kong SAR (with a CAGR of +75.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for yams exported from Japan were Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), the United States ($X) and Singapore ($X), together accounting for 92% of total exports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR, which accounted for a further 6.9%.

Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +66.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 yams export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 26% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and the United States ($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 the United States (-4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Yams Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, purchases abroad of yams increased by 17% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, yams imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest yams supplier to Japan, accounting for a 84% share of total imports. Moreover, yams imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of yams to Japan, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 15% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled +2.2%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average yams import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Vietnam totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.6%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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