2003/10/281 The Current Situation and Prospect of Vegetable Imports in Japan -with a focus on the vegetable imports from China and Korea- KOBAYASHI, Shigenori Policy Research Institute, MAFF (PRIMAFF)

2003/10/282 Table of Contents 1. General trends of vegetable imports in Japan 2. Characteristics of vegetable imports from China and Korea in Japan 3. General characteristics of vegetable demand in Japan 4. Prospect of vegetable imports in Japan

2003/10/283 １． General Trends of Vegetable Imports in Japan ・ The import of vegetables has been increasing significantly since the 1990s. ・ The import of vegetables is diversifying in item. ・ The share of imports from China has recently been growing particularly.

2003/10/284 Trends of Vegetable Imports by Types in Japan Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics (1,000 tons)

2003/10/285 Trends of Fresh Vegetable Imports by Major Items in Japan Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/286 Trends of Frozen Vegetable Imports by Major Items in Japan (1,000 tons) Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/287 Trends of Vegetable Imports by Countries in Japan Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics (1,000 tons)

2003/10/288 Trends of Domestic Production and Imports of Broccoli

2003/10/289 Trends of Domestic Production and Imports of Taros

2003/10/2810 Decline of Self-Sufficiency Rate in Vegetables in Japan

2003/10/ Characteristics of Vegetable Imports from China and Korea in Japan (1) ・ The imports of vegetables from China are at the top in all categories ( fresh, frozen, salt cured, dried and prepared) in Japan. ・ Though the total imports of vegetables from Korea are not so much compared with China, Korea is fifth in the quantity of fresh imports.

2003/10/ Characteristics of Vegetable Imports from China and Korea in Japan (2) ・ Until early in the 1990s, imports from China basically consisted of salt cured vegetables, increasing the quantity in various categories since then. ・ Imports from Korea are highly concentrated in specific items.

2003/10/2813 Trends of Vegetable Imports from China in Japan Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/2814 Major Vegetable Items Imported from China ・ Fresh: Garlic (share(2002):99%), Taros (99%), Welsh Onions (99%), Shiitake Mushroom (99%), Peas (99%), Ginger (98%), Carrots (72%), Onions (46%), Broccoli (13%), etc. ・ Frozen: Taros (99%), Spinach (99%), Green Soybeans (50%), Mixed Vegetables (48%), etc. ・ Prepared: Bamboo Shoots (97%), Ginger (51%), etc.

2003/10/2815 China’s Share of Imported Vegetables in Japan (2002) Note: Quantity basis

2003/10/2816 Increase of Imports with Declining Price - Imports of Fresh Carrots from China - Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/2817 Increase of Imports with Declining Price - Imports of Frozen Green Soybeans from China - Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/2818 Trends of Vegetable Imports from Korea in Japan Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/2819 Major Vegetable Items Imported from Korea ・ Fresh: Tomatoes (share (2002):76%), Paprika (55%), Cucumber (99%), etc. ・ Prepared: Kimchi, etc.

2003/10/2820 Monthly Imports of Paprika in Japan (2002)

2003/10/2821 Increase of Imports with Declining Price - Imports of Paprika from Korea - Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

2003/10/2822 Background of increasing vegetable imports in Japan ・ Appreciation of the yen consequent to the Plaza Accord of September 1985 ・ Weakening of domestic supply of vegetables due to the aging of Japan’s agricultural workforce ・ Propagation of develop-and-import schemes ・ Active promotion of production for export to Japan within various nations ・ Improvement of transport / storage technologies ・ Changes of vegetable demand structure 3. General Characteristics of Vegetable Demand in Japan (1)

2003/10/ General Characteristics of Vegetable Demand in Japan (2) ・ While the per capita demand of vegetables is gradually decreasing, the diversification of vegetable demand is advancing. ・ The increase of vegetable imports (frozen in particular) is especially linked to the demand in food service industry.

2003/10/2824 Trends of Per Capita Demand of Vegetables in Japan ( Net Food Basis) Source: MAFF, Food Balance Sheet

2003/10/2825 ・ The demand of vegetables can be classified in three groups ; 1) for household consumption 2) for food manufacturing 3) for food service industry Diversification of Vegetable Demand in Japan ・ Development of diversification in vegetable demand ⇒ ・ Decrease of household demand ・ Increase of demand for food manufacturing and food service industry

2003/10/2826 Estimated Share of Demand for Major Vegetables by Household in Japan

2003/10/2827 Estimated Share of Demand for Major Vegetables by Intended Purposes in Japan (2000) (Unit: %)

2003/10/2828 Time of Usage for Imported Fresh and Frozen Vegetables in Food Service Industry Source: MAFF, Report on the Distribution Channels of Imported Foods, 1995

2003/10/ Prospect of Vegetable Imports in Japan ・ Response to the changes of vegetable demand in Japan ・ In China and Korea, domestic supply- demand situation ・ Exchange rate fluctuation, etc.