Supermarkets had the largest market share of grocery retail sales with 45 percent, followed by small grocery retailers, food/drink/tobacco specialists and other grocery retailers. Supermarkets and hypermarkets distribute the bulk of the US$225.9 billion of packaged food in Japan. Convenience stores make up 78 per cent of small grocery retailers. The top mass-grocery retailers include 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, MaxValu and Circle K.
Looking to import food and beverage products into Japan in the 2020s? Let’s discuss some food and beverage trends that are likely to occur in Japan over the next few years.
It is likely that Japan will see an increase in the popularity of health and wellness foods. This is due in part to the fact that the country is currently experiencing an obesity epidemic and people are looking for effective ways to maintain their health. Additionally, 2020 was the year that Japan hosted the Olympic Games, and as a result, the nation was focused then on promoting a healthy lifestyle to its citizens. Therefore, it is likely that food manufacturers will continue to capitalize on this trend and introduce products that are designed to help people stay healthy.
Another trend that is likely to grow is the rise in popularity of ethnic food products. This is due to a growing trend in Japan of people dining out and trying different types of food. This means that food companies that are able to appeal to a variety of audiences will enjoy a rise in sales.
In addition to food trends, we can expect years’ of growth for the wine industry in Japan. According to data from Vinexpo Japan, the wine market in the country is expected to grow by nearly 6% this year. This growth is likely to continue, as wine consumers in Japan are becoming more sophisticated and are looking for more variety when it comes to their beverage choices.
All in all, it is safe to say that the first half of the 2020s are going to be advantageous for food and beverage products coming into Japan. As trends emerge, food manufacturers will be able to capitalize on them and introduce new and innovative products that will appeal to consumers.
A
AGF, Agua Shoji, Aioku Alpha, Aiya, Ajinomoto, Akita Seishu, All Japan Coffee Association, Amano Foods, Ambika Trading, Aoki Shuzo, Aoshisho Farms, Apex, API, Asahi Breweries, Asahimatsu Foods, Asia & Pacific Seed Association, Azuma-cho Fishing Cooperative
B
Baird Beer, Bento.com, Blue Link, Brewers Association of Japan
C
Calbee, Canadian Springs Water, Chiyomusubi, Choryo Shuzo, Choya Umeshu
D
Daimon Shuzo, Daisekkei Brewing, Daishichi Sake Brewery, Daisho, Dewazakura Shuzo, Discover Japanese Sake, Dotonox, Drink Japan 2022
E
Eat-Japan Trade Directory, Ecology Health Labo
F
Food and Food Ingredients Journal, Food Producers, Fuji Oil, Fujicco, Fujimitsu, Fukugao Brewery, Fukuju, Fukumitsuya Brewery, Fukumusume Sake Brewery
G
Gekkeikan Sake, Ginga Kogen Beer, Glico, Green Tea Online
H
Hakkaisan Sake, Hakushika, Hakutsuru Sake, Hananomai, Harima Ocean Farm, Hassui Kamaboko, Hawaii Water, Hayashibara Group, Helios Distillery, Hikari Miso, Hokkan Sake Brewing, Hokuto, Hotei Wines Japan
I
Ichinokura Shujo, Ichishima Sake Brewery, ILS, Imuraya, Ippodo Tea, Ishikawa Brewery, Ito-en, Iyosui, Iwase Cosfa
J
Japan Agricultural Exchange Council, Japan Beer Times, Japan Cornstarch, Japan Customs, Japan Duties and Tariffs on Wine, Japan Fisheries Association, Japan Food Additives Association, Japan Food Journal, Japan Food Research Laboratories, Japan Frozen Foods Inspection, Japan Fruit Growers Association, Japan Green Tea, Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo, Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association, Japan Reishi Association, Japan Seed Trading Association, Japan Tobacco, Japan Whaling Association, Japanese Association for the Study of Taste and Smell, Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an, Japanscan Food Industry Bulletin
K
Kagome, Kagoshima Meat Export Federation, Kaiyo Engineering, Kamei, Kanehide Bio, Kanei Hitokoto Seicha, Kaneku, Kashiken, Kewpie, Kikkoman, Kiku Masumine Sake Brewing, Kinjirushi, Kirin Brewery, Kiuchi Brewery, Kizakura Sake Brewing, Kobe Mizho Honpo, Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Brewery, Kodama Foods, Komachi-Shuzo Brewing, Kuki Sesame, Kurosawa Sake Brewing, Kurume Vegetable Breeding, Kyokuyo, Kyoto Uji Tea
L
M
Maeda-En (G.T. Japan), Marubun, Maruha Nichiro, Maruhachi Muramatsu, Marukawa Confectionary, Marukome, Marushosu Jozamoto, Marutoku Nori, Masudashuzo, Masumi Brewery, Matsuya Foods, Megmilk Snow Brand, Meidi-Ya, Meiji, Meiwa, Miso Health Promotion Committee, MHLW Food Inspection Guidlines, Mitsubishi Kagaku Foods, Mizkan, Morikawa Shuzo, Musashino Seed, Muso
N
Nakai Salt Industries, Nakamura Chaho, Nakano BC, Nichimo, Nihon Shokken, Nikka Whiskey, Ninben, Nippon Coffee Trading, Nippon Del Monte, Nippon Flour Mills, Nippon Ham, Nippon Meat Packers, Nippon Walnut, Nishimoto Wismettac Group, Nisshin Oil Mills, Nissin Food Products, Nissui
O
Odazo Flour Milling, Oenon Holdings, Ogawa & Co., Ohtsuka Chemical Industrial, Orion Beer, Otokuyama Sake, Otsuka Tea, Oyama Foods
P
Polyphenon, Pork Policies in Japan
R
S
S Foods, S&B Foods, Sanshu, Sanyo Management, Sasaki Green Tea, Sasara Communications Green Tea, Satsuma Shuza, Seika Foods, Sennarido, Shindo Sake Brewery, Shingi, Shoda Shoyu, Shokuken, Shonan Flavors, Snow Brand Seed, Sojitz, Sokensha, Sudohonke Brewery, Suigei, Suiken, Suntory
T
Taiyo Sake Brewery, Takemoto Oil & Fat, Takahashi Shuzo, Takanashi Milk, Takumiya, Tanaka Sake Brewery, Tatsuma-Honke Brewing, Tengu Natural Foods, Tenju Shujo, Tenryou Brewery, The East Asiatic, Three B, Tokachino Fromages, Tokai Seapro, Tokyo Food Techno, Tokyo Metropolitan Food Technology Research Center, Toraya, Toshimaya Brewery, Toshimori Shuzo, Toshoku, Toyosu Market, Trident Seafoods, True World Japan, Tsukudani, Tsuno Food Industrial
U
Ujinotuyu Tea, Uwajima Project
W
Watanabe Sahei Breweries, Wine of Japan
Y
Yakult Honsha, Yamae Hisano, Yamama Masudaien, Yamasa, Yamasa Chikuwa, Yamamo1867, Yamasa, Yamashita-Kogei, Yamatou Shoji, Yamazaki Baking, Yomeishu Seizo, Yoshikubo Brewery, Yotsuba Milk Products