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Beans 2002 |
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1. Although now generally used to refer to any edible bean, the term "bean" in Japan used to refer only to soybeans. It covers all members of the Leguminosae family (including seeds). Although some seeds and fruits, such as coffee tree seeds and the fruit of the vanilla orchid, are also called beans, here we consider only members of the Leguminosae family. Bean plants have a wide geographic distribution ranging from frigid to temperate zones. Worldwide, there are some 600 genera and about 12,000 varieties. Below we consider soybeans (including green soybeans), adzuki beans, peanuts, kidney beans, peas, and green beans. 2. Soybeans - Japan's self-sufficient rate in soybeans was only 4% in 1999, and it was dependent on imports for the other 96%. - Soybeans (oil content: 16-22%) have a huge variety of uses. Their biggest use, however, is as a raw material for making oil. Foods made from soybeans include tofu, deep-fried tofu and fermented soybeans (natto). - Soybeans are harvested between September to November in U.S.A., March to May in Brazil, and April to June in Argentina. Internationally, the trading year for soybeans is September-October. - Imports of soybeans in recent years have been as follows:
Unit: 1,000 US dollars Source: Ministry of Finance Trade Statistics - Of the 4,891,000 tons supplied in 2000, only 187,000 tons (3.8%) were produced domestically, and the other 96.2% was imported. Broken down by use, 77% was for oil manufacturing, 21% for foodstuffs, and the remaining 2% was used for animal feed. There were zero exports. - In the future, demand for oil manufacturing is projected to remain stable, while demand for food made from soybeans is expected to grow due to the increase in health awareness among consumers. 3. Green Soybeans - Green soybeans are a popular snack with chilled beer in Japan. Not only do they look and taste good with beer, but they also contain high-quality protein (amino acids) along with lipids, minerals and vitamins. They purportedly help protect the liver and digestive system, ward off hangovers and other aftereffects of overdrinking, and combat fatigue and weariness due to the heat in summer. - Green soybeans are unripe soybeans that have yet to grow into yellow soybeans. The custom of eating unripe soybeans is said to be unique to Japanese dietary culture, although the practice has now spread to other countries such as Thailand and China. - Total consumption in 2000 came to 52,500 tons, of which around 70% was imported frozen, and the remaining 30% was produced in Chiba, Gunma, Saitama and Niigata Prefectures. More green soybeans are imported than are consumed, with the remainder being stored for the following year. - The main sources of imports of frozen green soybeans in 2000 were as follows:
Unit: 1,000 yen Source: Japan Trade Monthly The top source of imports until 1995 was Taiwan, which accounted for over 50% of the total. Since 1996, however, China has occupied top place, and its share has increased by the year. This is due to the soaring cost of labor in Taiwan, and also the transfer of operations to China, where costs are lower, by Taiwanese makers. However, Taiwanese beans are tastier and have a richer color than Chinese ones, and so they remain firm favorites in Japan. - Frozen green soybeans are easy to prepare and store, and can be used in small quantities, making them well suited to consumers' needs. Most frozen green soybeans are now pre-salted. - Due to their popularity with people of all ages, from children to adults, and access to cheap and stable supplies from overseas all year round, demand for green soybeans is expected to continue to grow. 4. Peas and Beans - Peas and beans comprise the various dried pulses (except soybeans and peanuts) eaten boiled and used for making sweetened adzuki beans, etc. - Peas and beans were subject to import restrictions until the Uruguay Round, when tariffication was introduced, as a result of which access was to be maintained at the existing level (120,000 tons/year) and the tariff amount (\417/kg) cut by 15% in six years. (This target was met in 2000.) - Japanese imports of peas and beans in recent years have been as follows:
Total 6 4,600 6 9 ,479 72, 423 Unit: 1,000 US dollars Source: Ministry of Finance Trade Statistics - Annual consumption of peas and beans in Japan came to 213,300 tons in 2000, approximately half of which was imported. Domestic produce is mainly from Hokkaido. - Although dependent of the size of the domestic crop, imports of peas and beans are generally around 120,000 tons. 5. Peanuts - Although important in many countries as an oil crop, peanuts are popular in Japan as a food rich in protein, fats and vitamins. They are little used for oil and fat for reasons of taste, and are more commonly bought roasted beans, used to make buttered peanuts and bean cakes, or used as in ingredient in cake making. - Imports of raw peanuts for human consumption used to be subject to import restrictions until the Uruguay Round, when tariffication was introduced, as a result of which access was to be maintained at the existing level (75,000 tons), and the tariff amount (\726/kg) cut by 15% in six years. (This target was met in 2000.) - Japanese imports of peanuts in recent years have been as follows:
Unit: 1,000 US dollars Source: Ministry of Finance Trade Statistics - 31.2% of annual consumption in 2000 was produced domestically, and the remaining 68.8% imported (in volume terms). In Japan, peanuts are produced in the Kanto region (Chiba and Ibaraki account for a little under 90% of domestic production) and Minami-Kyushu. - Given consumers' growing price consciousness, imports are expected to remain level or increase slightly.
6. Green Beans / Black Matpe - Although both green beans and black matpe are imported for bean sprouts, they are grouped together as "green beans" in trade statistics. - Japanese imports of green beans in recent years have been as follows:
Unit: 1,000 US dollars Source: Ministry of Finance Trade Statistics - Green beans are annuals of the genus Vigna (Leguminosae). Originally from India, they reached Japan via China, and used to be grown throughout the country. Production has now ceased, however, and Japan is now entirely dependent on imports. - Bean sprouts, which can be grown from green beans, are rich in important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and protein. With health consciousness among consumers rising, bean sprouts have become an established part of the Japanese diet. - Although demand for bean sprouts among ordinary households has fallen slightly in recent years, their role in Korean cooking and salads means growth is expected to grow slightly, and imports of green beans for growing bean sprouts are therefore also expected to grow. The quality and yield of Chinese green beans are superior to those grown in Myanmar and Thailand, and imports of Chinese produce are forecast to grow. |
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