The export value of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products for the past year reached a record high of 1,454.7 billion yen, more than 2% more than the previous year, due to a recovery in global demand for eating out. However, exports to China, the largest destination, decreased by more than 14% due to the continued suspension of imports of Japanese marine products.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the export value of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food for the past year was 1,454.7 billion yen, an increase of 2.9% over the previous year, setting a new record high.



In addition to a recovery in demand for eating out, which had dropped globally due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was also a tailwind from the depreciation of the yen in the foreign exchange market.



By country and region


, shipments to Hong Kong

increased by 13%


, those to the United States by 6%


, and those to South Korea by 14% compared to the previous year.

However, exports to China, the largest destination, have declined due to the Chinese government suspending imports of Japanese marine products in August last year in response to the release of treated water accumulated at the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This was a decrease of 40.6 billion yen, or 14%, from 2017, which suppressed overall growth.

Furthermore, by item, scallops, which had a large proportion destined for China, decreased by 22.2 billion yen, or 24%, from the previous year.

Regarding the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products, the government has set a goal of increasing the export value to 2 trillion yen by 2025, but with no prospects for China's lifting of the ban on imports of seafood products, it is unclear what destinations to export to. The challenge is to diversify.








Agriculture Minister Sakamoto ``certain results in developing export destinations''

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sakamoto said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 30th, ``It cannot be denied that export performance has had a considerable impact on China's suspension of imports of marine products. However, it is difficult to develop export destinations other than China.'' We have seen certain results, and we have high expectations for the future.We would like to expand exports by providing support for new sales development and business matching.''