Japan is an important horticultural market for Australia and is currently our fourth-largest trading partner by value.

Japan is the world’s largest importer of macadamias, with Australia being the largest supplier of macadamias to the country, creating a strong trading relationship in the process. Japan also continues to show strong demand for Australian citrus, particularly oranges, with citrus being our top export commodity to this market. 

Supermarkets have been the primary place to buy fruit in Japan for many years, and this is unlikely to change. While there has been a continuous decline in purchases at independent fresh produce retailers and cooperatives, in comparison fruit sales have recently increased at convenience and discount stores and online.

Consumers in Japan are knowledgeable and open to trying new types and flavours of produce. Japanese department stores stock high-end produce that consumers are willing to pay a premium during off-seasons or for special occasions.

Top ten levy-funded Australian exports to Japan by volume for the year ending February 2024

1. Orange – 36,259 tonnes
2. Table grape – 7,488 tonnes
3. Melon (excluding watermelon) – 4,638 tonnes
4. Mandarin (including tangerine) – 3,937 tonnes
5. Onion (all) and shallot – 3,344 tonnes
6. Lemon and lime – 2,476 tonnes
7. Grapefruit and pomelo – 2,228 tonnes
8. Macadamia (all) – 1,460 tonnes
9. Carrot and turnip – 1,450 tonnes
10. Avocado – 954 tonnes

Australian commodities with market access to Japan

Almond
Tasmanian apple
Asparagus
Avocado (Tasmania, Western Australia and Riverland region of South Australia – fruit from suspension areas to be treated)
Banana
Tasmanian bean
Beetroot, chard and silverbeet
Tasmanian blueberry
Tasmanian capsicum
Carrot
Tasmanian cherry (with restrictions)
Citrus (including orange, mandarin, lemon, grapefruit, lime and tangelo – with restrictions)
Cucumber
Honeydew and rockmelon
Macadamia
Mango
Mushrooms
Olive
Onion
Pea
Pistachios
Table grape (Crimson seedless, Thompson seedless and Red Globe)

Japan is the fourth-highest export location for Australian fruit, nuts and vegetables

Year ending February 2024

Useful links

• See more export facts and figures in Hort Innovation’s 2022/23 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook here
• Gain insights into international consumers for 13 of Australia’s priority export markets here
• See how key Aussie export stakeholders and authorities are joining forces to help protect and grow Australia’s horticultural exports with the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) here
• Access the Hort IQ International Consumer Needs dashboard here
• Access the Austrade Go Global toolkit here

See also

Australia's top ten trade horticultural commodities here