Japan imports over 90% of its food by value. This reliance is stark, with a caloric self-sufficiency rate of just 38%. The data reveals a nation sourcing a global dinner plate, from $15 billion in seafood to the vast majority of its soybeans.
Key Takeaways
- Japan imported $7.3 billion worth of beef and beef products in 2022
- Japan's pork imports from the EU totaled 390,000 metric tons in 2021
- Seafood imports accounted for $15 billion in 2022
- Japan's fresh fruit import volume reached 1.58 million metric tons in 2022
- Corn imports for animal feed exceeded 15 million metric tons in 2022
- Japan imports 99% of its soybean requirements for oil and meal
- Japan's overall food self-sufficiency rate was 38% on a caloric basis in FY2022
- Total agricultural imports into Japan reached $92.3 billion in 2022
- The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) reduced beef tariffs to 23.5% in 2023
- Frozen vegetable imports into Japan were valued at $1.1 billion in 2022
- The import value of alcoholic beverages into Japan grew by 15% in 2022
- Imported coffee beans reached 400,000 metric tons in volume in 2022
- The United States is the top supplier of agricultural products to Japan with a 22% market share
- China accounts for 50% of Japan's imported processed vegetables
- Wheat imports from Canada totaled 1.6 million metric tons in 2022
In 2022 Japan imported $92.3 billion in food, led by $15 billion of seafood and $7.3 billion of beef.
Related reading
01 · Category
Animal and Meat Products27 stats
01
Japan imported $7.3 billion worth of beef and beef products in 2022
02
Japan's pork imports from the EU totaled 390,000 metric tons in 2021
03
Seafood imports accounted for $15 billion in 2022
04
Cheese imports from the United States grew to 35,000 metric tons in 2022
05
Poultry imports from Brazil reached 420,000 metric tons in 2022
06
Japan's egg imports (processed) grew by 4% in 2022
07
Dairy product imports reached $2.4 billion in 2022
08
Sausage and processed meat imports totaled $550 million in 2022
09
Japan's import of edible offal reached 150,000 metric tons in 2022
10
Sheep and goat meat imports remain small at 25,000 tons
11
Imports of live cattle fell to under 10,000 head in 2022
12
Frozen chicken imports from Thailand reached 300,000 tons
13
Imports of skim milk powder used in processing reached 60,000 tons
14
Import value of sea urchin (Uni) from Russia and Chile exceeds $150m
15
Japan’s import of lobster from Canada is valued at $80 million annually
16
Import of horse meat (primarily from Canada) is 7,000 tons per year
17
Import of Alaskan Pollock from USA reached $220 million
18
Japan imports 92% of its domestic honey consumption
19
Canned beef imports (Corned Beef) from Brazil reached 5,000 tons
20
Frozen shrimp imports from Ecuador grew 10% in 2022
21
85% of Japan's surimi (fish paste) is made from imported fish
22
Imported butter volume reached 10,000 metric tons under state trade
23
Japan imports 15,000 tons of natural casings for sausages
24
Imports of eel (Unagi) from China reached 12,000 tons
25
Dried squid imports from Peru reached 15,000 metric tons
26
Canned crab imports from Russia totaled $40 million
27
Imports of duck meat from Hungary and Thailand reached 8,000 tons
Interpretation
Animal and Meat Products Interpretation
While Japan's culinary identity is proudly domestic, its appetite is undeniably global, fueled by billions in imports from beef to uni that paint a nation sourcing the world to fill its plates and processing lines.
02 · Category
Fruits, Vegetables and Grains30 stats
01
Japan's fresh fruit import volume reached 1.58 million metric tons in 2022
02
Corn imports for animal feed exceeded 15 million metric tons in 2022
03
Japan imports 99% of its soybean requirements for oil and meal
04
Rice imports are strictly controlled by a 770,000 metric ton TRQ
05
Barley imports for beer production reached 1 million metric tons
06
Imports of nuts (almonds/walnuts) reached $800 million in 2022
07
Rapeseed imports for oil production totaled 2.4 million metric tons
08
Import volume of onions from China reached 280,000 tons in 2021
09
Import volume of palm oil reached 750,000 metric tons in 2022
10
Imports of feed-grade soy meal totaled 1.6 million metric tons
11
Frozen berry imports (blueberries/strawberries) grew by 5% annually
12
Japan imports 100% of its crude almond supply
13
Imports of fresh broccoli from the US totaled 15,000 tons
14
Japan imports 75,000 tons of garlic annually, primarily from China
15
Sorghum imports for feed used 450,000 metric tons in 2022
16
Import value of cocoa beans reached $450 million in 2022
17
Buckwheat imports (for Soba) reached 50,000 tons, mostly from Russia/China
18
Peanut imports from the US reached 15,000 metric tons
19
High-fructose corn syrup production relies on 3 million tons of imported corn
20
Imported hay and forage for cattle totaled 2.5 million tons
21
Japan imports 200,000 tons of rye for feed and flour
22
Sunflower oil imports totaled 20,000 metric tons in 2022
23
Lentil and pulse imports from Canadareached 45,000 tons
24
Imports of potato starch for noodles reached 120,000 tons
25
Imports of cherries from the USA peak at $90 million annually
26
Imports of cashew nuts reached 12,000 tons, mostly from India/Vietnam
27
Import of green peas for processing reached 22,000 tons
28
Flaxseed imports from Canada used for health oils reached 10k tons
29
Import volume of sweet corn from USA reached 60,000 tons
30
Wheat bran imports for feed reached 250,000 tons
Interpretation
Fruits, Vegetables and Grains Interpretation
Japan's sophisticated palate and efficient agriculture are fed by a voracious global shopping list, revealing a nation that masters the art of the chef while outsourcing the work of the farmer on a truly colossal scale.
03 · Category
Market Overview and Food Security29 stats
01
Japan's overall food self-sufficiency rate was 38% on a caloric basis in FY2022
02
Total agricultural imports into Japan reached $92.3 billion in 2022
03
The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) reduced beef tariffs to 23.5% in 2023
04
Japan is the largest net importer of surplus food per capita globally
05
Japan’s self-sufficiency for meat stands at roughly 53%
06
Import tariff for table grapes falls to 0% under CPTPP for member nations
07
Japan imports 60% of its total calorie intake from foreign sources
08
Japan accounts for 5% of global beef imports by value
09
Japan’s sugar self-sufficiency is only 34%
10
Japan is the 4th largest global importer of agricultural products
11
The Japan-UK CEPA provides tariff-free access for British biscuits
12
Japan-US Trade Agreement (JUSTA) lowered tariffs on $7 billion of US food
13
Household spending on imported food increased by 3% in real terms
14
Japan's cereal self-sufficiency rate is approximately 29%
15
Average tariff on agricultural products in Japan is 12.9%
16
Japan's food import bill is sensitive to JPY/USD fluctuations (10% drop in yen increases costs 8%)
17
The port of Tokyo handles 28% of all food imports by value
18
Japan's reliance on food imports via the Malacca Strait is 70% of total volume
19
Japan food price index rose 7.5% in 2022 due to import costs
20
Food waste in Japan is 5.2 million tons, but imports continue for variety
21
Japan's strategic grain reserve holds 1 million tons of imported wheat
22
Japan's food import regulations cover 800+ pesticide residues
23
Total number of food import notifications in 2022 was 2.5 million
24
Customs duties on imported chocolates range from 10% to 25.8%
25
Japan has 15 free trade agreements facilitating food imports
26
Food labeling law requires country of origin for all ingredients
27
Japan's vegetable self-sufficiency rate is 80%, higher than grains
28
Total area of overseas farmland owned by Japanese firms for imports is 3m ha
29
Japan's food import inspections found 0.03% violation rate
Interpretation
Market Overview and Food Security Interpretation
Despite its legendary culinary pride, Japan's dinner plate has become a delicately balanced and expensive global import portfolio, where a weak yen can turn sushi night into a strategic calculation.
More related reading
04 · Category
Processed and Packaged Foods30 stats
01
Frozen vegetable imports into Japan were valued at $1.1 billion in 2022
02
The import value of alcoholic beverages into Japan grew by 15% in 2022
03
Imported coffee beans reached 400,000 metric tons in volume in 2022
04
The market for imported organic food is valued at $1.5 billion
05
Import value of honey increased by 8% due to health trends in 2022
06
Imported wine market volume from France reached 52 million liters
07
Imports of frozen potatoes (fries) from USA reached $300 million
08
Japan's confectionery imports were valued at $1.2 billion in 2022
09
Imports of concentrated orange juice fell by 12% in 2022
10
Olive oil imports from Italy and Spain reached 60,000 tons
11
Import value of pasta from Italy reached $140 million in 2022
12
Japan's pet food import market was valued at $1.1 billion in 2022
13
Imports of maple syrup from Canada reached $25 million
14
Total value of fruit juice imports reached $600 million in 2022
15
Imports of essential oils for food flavoring grew by 6%
16
Import of canned tuna from Thailand exceeds 50,000 metric tons
17
Frozen pizza imports from Italy and US reached $40 million
18
Imports of mineral water were valued at $310 million in 2022
19
Imports of breakfast cereals grew by 12% between 2020-2022
20
Imported spices (pepper/cumin) value reached $280 million
21
Imports of Greek yogurt reached $12 million in value
22
Import of baby food into Japan is valued at $45 million
23
Import of soybean oil for industrial food use reached 30,000 tons
24
Import of agave syrup from Mexico specialized market $5m
25
Imports of protein concentrates rose by 15% due to fitness boom
26
Canned tomato imports from Italy were valued at $90 million
27
Frozen puff pastry imports from Europe reached $15 million
28
Import of bourbon whiskey from USA reached $70 million
29
Imports of soy sauce from Japan's overseas plants reached 5,000 tons
30
Import value of frozen desserts (ice cream) reached $60 million
Interpretation
Processed and Packaged Foods Interpretation
Japan's 2022 import data paints a picture of a nation that is health-conscious yet indulgent, meticulously preparing frozen vegetables for a balanced meal with one hand while pouring a French wine and ordering a frozen pizza with the other, all while ensuring the pet eats as well as they do.
05 · Category
Trade Partners and Origin30 stats
01
The United States is the top supplier of agricultural products to Japan with a 22% market share
02
China accounts for 50% of Japan's imported processed vegetables
03
Wheat imports from Canada totaled 1.6 million metric tons in 2022
04
Japan's import of avocados from Mexico exceeded 70,000 tons in 2021
05
90% of Japan's bananas are imported from the Philippines
06
Thailand supplies 25% of Japan's imported poultry meat
07
Chile is the leading supplier of imported salmon to Japan
08
Vietnam is the 2nd largest supplier of shrimp to Japan by volume
09
New Zealand supplies 95% of Japan's imported kiwifruit
10
Japan's food import reliance on the ASEAN region grew to 18%
11
Canada provides 30% of Japan's total wheat imports
12
Indonesia is a primary supplier of Japan's prepared fish products
13
India supplies 40% of Japan’s imported sesame seeds
14
Australia provides 60% of Japan's imported malting barley
15
Norway accounts for 20% of Japan's imported mackerel
16
Japan imports $200 million worth of tea annually (mostly from China/Sri Lanka)
17
South Africa is a major supplier of grapefruit to Japan during summer
18
EU share of Japan's cheese import market rose to 38% after EPA
19
Japan imports 40% of its pumpkins from New Zealand
20
Frozen octopus imports from Morocco and Mauritania reached 30,000 tons
21
80% of Japan’s imported glass-house grapes are from Chile
22
Taiwan accounts for 15% of Japan's imported pineapples
23
Peru's share of Japan's asparagus imports rose to 35%
24
Turkey is a significant exporter of dried apricots to Japan
25
Spain provides 25% of Japan's imported pork belly
26
France is the leading exporter of mineral water to Japan
27
Sri Lanka provides 30% of Japan's high-quality black tea
28
Philippines supplies 75% of Japan's imported pineapples
29
Korea supplies 60% of Japan's imported Paprika
30
US share of Japan's corn market is approximately 70%
Interpretation
Trade Partners and Origin Interpretation
Japan's dinner plate is a masterclass in global diplomacy, where the morning toast is Canadian, the lunchtime salad is Chinese, the afternoon snack is Filipino, and the evening salmon is Chilean, proving that national security is as much about supply chains as it is about treaties.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Japan Food Import Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/japan-food-import-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Japan Food Import Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/japan-food-import-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Japan Food Import Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/japan-food-import-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level