TOKYO, Dec, 25 – Japan’s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foods in October were 79.8 billion yen, up 15% year-over-year, according to the data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. The exports in the ten months from January to October 2018 also increased by 15% compared to the same period last year. On both the monthly and the ten-month-total basis, the exports of beef, rice, and apples grew significantly. Although the growth rate is larger than the ratio required to meet the ministry’s 1-trillion-yen goal for Japan’s food exports in 2019, whether Japan can keep the ratio at this high level throughout the year will be a challenge.
The total shipment of agricultural products in October rose 18% compared to a previous year to 53.8 billion yen.
Among all items, beef soared 22% to 2.2 billion yen. Shipment of wheat, rice and other types of grain also increased by 22% to 4.4 billion yen, including rice, which surged 40% to 400 million yen when excluding those delivered as aid supplies. Fruits (fresh and dried) were up 3% slightly to 3.1 billion yen, and this included apples, which saw a boost of 18% to 2.1 billion yen.
According to the agricultural ministry’s export promotion section, “Needs for beef primarily from the wealthy population are strong throughout the year mainly in Asia. Apples have entered its hot shipping season, and there are more inquiries from Taiwan and Hong Kong.”
Exports of the forestry products were up 17% to 3.4 billion yen, while the shipment of the fishery products was up 9% to 22.7 billion yen.