| 1. |
The Japanese word for “fruits” is “kudamono,” whose origin
is “ki-no-mono,” which literally means “tree products.” In
Japan, fruits were treated as a kind of confectionery until the Nara Period (710 - 783)
or Heian Period (784 - 1191). In the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), fruits
came to be referred to as “mizu-gashi”(juice confectionery) to distinguish
them from the ordinary confectionery.
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| 2. |
In Japan, fruits generally tend to be regarded as luxury grocery items. The
demand for fruits has gradually increased, as their nutritional value has become
highly recognized, especially in terms of their role as a supply source of mineral
salts and vitamins.
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| 3. |
The supply and demand situation of fruits in 2002 was as follows:
| Domestic Production |
US$ 1.877 billion |
44% |
| Exports |
US$ 64 million |
3.4% of domestic production |
| Imports |
US$ 2.39 billion |
56% |
| Domestic Supply |
US$ 4.203 billion |
|
|
| 4. |
Shown below is a breakdown of exports in 2002.
| Mandarin oranges |
4.326 |
Canada: 3.832, Hong Kong: 0.181, North Korea:
0.095, Others: 0.218 |
| Apples |
20.881 |
Taiwan: 18.808, Hong Kong: 0.768, Thailand:
0.693, Singapore: 0.163, Indonesia: 0.162, Others 0.287 |
| Pears |
6.370 |
Hong Kong: 3.815, Taiwan: 1.343, US: 0.989,
Others: 0.223 |
| Persimmons |
1.102 |
Hong Kong: 0.406, Taiwan: 0.401, Thailand:
0.254, Others: 0.041 |
Other
(fruit-processed products, etc.) |
31.321 |
to various countries |
Unit: US$ 1 million
|
| 5. |
Shown below is a breakdown of fruits import partners (2002).
| U.S.A. |
922 |
Share: 38.6% |
| The Philippines |
510 |
Share: 21.3% |
| China |
470 |
Share: 19.7% |
| Other |
488 |
Share: 20.4% |
Unit: US$ 1 million
|
| 6. |
In 2002, tropical fruits worth US$650,586,000 in total were imported to Japan.
The breakdown by type is listed below.
| Bananas |
517,344 |
3%, Others: 1% |
| Pineapples |
61,387 |
The Philippines: 98%, Others: 2% |
| Papayas |
15,089 |
U.S.A.: 57%, Others, including the Philippines: 43% |
| Mangos |
24,921 |
The Philippines: 54%, Mexico: 27%, Others: 19% |
| Avocados |
25,244 |
Mexico: 98.8%, Others: 1.2% |
| Durians |
6,601 |
China: 64%, Others: 36% |
| Frozen pineapples |
1,847 |
Thailand: 43%, Others: 57% |
Unit: US$1,000
Tropical fruits are harvested in limited areas, and Japan imports them from only
specific countries with which Japan has concluded bilateral agreements, as their
import is basically prohibited due to plant quarantine requirements. (Example:
papayas, mangos, apples, etc.)
Regarding bananas, importing yellow ripe ones is prohibited. Importers are required
to import unripe green ones, and to fumigate these bananas for pest control and
coloring in Japan.
Durians, avocados and other fruits that are less well-known in Japan have difficulty
in being accepted by Japanese consumers, who are conservative and have a strong
resistance to unfamiliar foods, unless they receive full explanations on how to
eat them, with description of their effects, and have direct opportunities to
sample them. This process will therefore take huge PR expenses and a long time.
However, in recent years, young people who have tried these fruits overseas have
begun to eat them in Japan without much resistance.
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| 7. |
In 2002, temperate fruits worth US$380,231,000 in total were imported to Japan.
The breakdown by type is listed below.
| Kiwi fruits |
107,692 |
New Zealand: 95%, Chile: 5% |
| Cherries |
94,422 |
U.S.A: 98%, Others: 2% |
| Melons |
29,162 |
Mexico: 67%, U.S.A: 23%, Others: 10% |
| Grapes |
18,228 |
Chile: 67%, U.S.A: 30%, Others: 3% |
| Watermelons |
706 |
South Korea: 87%, Others: 13% |
| Peaches |
52 |
U.S.A: 62%, Others: 38% |
| Raspberries etc. |
7,143 |
U.S.A: 93%, Others: 7% |
| Black currants etc. |
61 |
Chile: 59%, Others: 41% |
| Cranberries etc. |
14,829 |
U.S.A: 39%, Australia: 29%, Others: 32% |
Unit: US$1,000
The import volume of cherries in 2002 decreased by 16.8% as compared with the
previous year (2001), due to deteriorated quality resulting from unfavorable weather
conditions in the U.S., which had low temperature and excessive rain that year.
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| 8. |
In 2002, citrus fruits worth US$454,613,000 in total were imported to Japan.
The breakdown by type is listed below.
| Limes |
8,852 |
Mexico: 98%, Others: 2% |
| Lemons |
117,281 |
U.S.A: 77%, Others: 23% |
| Oranges |
86,042 |
U.S.A: 78%, Australia: 10%, South Africa: 5%, Others:
7% |
| Grapefruits |
230,003 |
U.S.A: 83%, South Africa: 13%, Israel: 3%, Others:
1% |
| Mandarins etc. |
12,339 |
U.S.A: 45%, Chile: 22%, New Zealand: 18%, Others: 15% |
| Other citrus fruits |
96 |
South Korea: 100% |
Unit: US$1,000
Regarding imports of citrus fruits, the United States is the dominant partner
for Japan. The amount of citrus fruits for industrial use, such as those for juice
processing, is far greater than those for domestic use. The volume of imported
oranges from the United States in 2002 declined as compared with the previous
year, because California was hit by a cold wave.
Grapefruit, which helps to promote smooth blood flow, has gained great popularity
among Japanese people, who are becoming health-conscious.
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| 9. |
Importation of fresh fruits is regulated by the Plant Protection Law and Food
Sanitation Law.
The Plant Protection Law prohibits importation of plants with soil attached and
importation from countries or regions where there are pests or diseases that are
not existent in Japan.
Fresh fruits importers should first apply for an import inspection, and then undergo
the inspection. If the fruits pass the inspection, they are given the necessary
certification. If they fail to pass the inspection because quarantine diseases
and pests are detected in the shipped fruits, they will be ordered to sterilize
the infected fruits so as to receive the certificate. Or, if the importers do
not sterilize these fruits, they will be disposed of or returned to the shipper.
Next, the importers should go through another import inspection (quarantine) procedure,
according to the Food Sanitation Law. In this regard, the importers can receive
preliminary importation consultation: prior information acquisition or prior inspection.
After completing these processes, the importers should submit the necessary documents
to the quarantine station. These documents are examined, and if it is judged that
the cargo does not need to be inspected, the importers will receive the acceptance
notification or certificate, and then go through the procedures for customs declaration.
Imports needing to receive inspection will be inspected, and if they pass, the
importers will receive the acceptance notification or certificate, and then make
their declaration at customs. If the imports fail to pass the inspection, they
will be disposed of, returned to the shipper, or used not as food but for other
purposes.
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| 10. |
Fresh fruit imports mainly consist of items which are not produced in Japan
or whose quantity of production is small here. The import volumes can be different
each year; they decrease if the amount of the yield of the fruit in Japan is high,
but increase if the yield is low. In addition, the import volumes may also vary
according to the circumstances of exporting companies. If these countries have
bad weather or pest problems, the volume of fruits imported by Japan will decrease.
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| 11. |
The main fruits grown by Japanese farmers are mandarin oranges and apples.
The amount of fruits imports has been on the rise, since fruit importation was
liberalized ten years ago. However, there are some items whose imports are actually
limited. For example, free import of apples was allowed in 1997, but the Plant
Quarantine Law is strictly applied to apples for pest control, and therefore their
import is permitted only from South Korea, the United States, Australia and New
Zealand, under certain conditions.
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| 12. |
Japanese consumers buy fruits not only for nourishment, but also to enjoy
their appearance and flavors, which convey a sense of various seasons. As such,
importers should pay attention to the size, freshness, gloss (luster), and flaws
or blemishes on the skin of the fruits.
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| 13. |
Some young people in Japan cannot be bothered to peel fruits or are even unable
to do so. Therefore, they do not like apples, pears, or peaches, and feel that
it is troublesome to peel a mandarin orange and clean up its segments. They like
bananas, which are easy to peel and eat, and like to drink fruit juice instead
of eating fruits that need peeling. Accordingly, fruits that have already been
peeled or cut into bite-size portions are sold at supermarkets and convenience
stores.
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| 14. |
Japanese consumers will gradually become familiar with fruits newly introduced
from overseas. Therefore, probably there will be an increase in the volumes and
varieties of the imported fruits that have so far been imported only in a small
quantity.
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| 15. |
In Japan, we have seen a trend toward exporting more Japanese fruits to overseas
countries, although these fruits may be expensive. Japanese fruits have been exhibited
at overseas food fairs to publicize them. Recently, pears produced in Japan were
exported to Shanghai for the first time.
Source: Trade statistics, Ministry of Finance, Japan
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