Japan's cherry blossom time

Here is a link to the USDA FAS report on Japan's cherry market. Cherry production is growing, but imports from the U.S. are a big part of the market.


Unlike most other crops in Japan, the production area for cherries has been expanding. Farmers converted their land to cherries expecting better returns for their investments. Unfortunately, cold weather hit the region in the spring of 2007, and resulted in a 20 percent reduction in nation's outputs. Farmers expect that this season's crop will be average since no major weather problems have been reported. Japan imported 9,288 metric tons of U.S. cherries in 2007, valued at $65 million on a CIF basis. Good quality fruit is an essential marketing factor in Japan, but lately Japanese traders and wholesalers ha e become more cost conscious, since major Japanese supermarkets aim to sell U.S. cherries at 98 yen (90 cents) per 100 grams. There were no shipments of U.S. nectarines to Japan in 2007 and none are expected in 2008.

Currently, Japan allows the United States to ship the following 12 varieties of fresh cherries to Japan with methyl bromide fumigation: Early Garnet, Garnet, Sweetheart, Chelen, Tulare, Van, Bing, Broox, Lapin, Lambert, Ranier and Royal Ranier. New Zealand Develops a Good Reputation for High Quality Cherries in Japan Sales of New Zealand cherries are still limited in Japan and it sold approximately 22 metric tons in 2007, valued at $261,000 on a CIF basis. ew Zealand was granted a cherry export protocol with no fumigation requirement; therefore, fruit quality was significantly better when it arrived in Japan compared with cherries that have been treated with methyl bromide, according to Tokyo traders. New Zealand fruit was imported in December and January and it did not directly compete with U.S. products. New Zealand cherries that were imported into Japan were all extra large sized fruit and packaged in 5 or 2 kilogram cartons. Bing, Stella, Lapin and Raneir are key varieties sold in Japan. New Zealand cherries were trading at premium prices of $83.14 (9,000 yen) for a 5-kilogram carton and $50.80 (5,500 yen) for a 2-kilogram carton at Tokyo Ohta Wholesale Market in January 2008.

Currently, the government of Japan does not allow the importation of U.S. fresh peaches due to phytosanitary concerns. No Shipments of U.S. Nectarines to Japan in 2007 U.S. nectarines were marketed in Japan from 2000 through 2005 with sales volume between 9 - 51 metric tons annually, and there were no shipments to Japan in the last 2 seasons. According to Japanese traders, it is not economical to ship only small volume s, particularly with fumigation requirements. All U.S. nectarines are subject to methyl bromide fumigation before entering to Japan due to codling moth concerns. Currently, Japan allows the United States to ship the following 10 varieties with methyl bromide fumigation: Summer Grand, Spring Red, Firebrite, Fantasia, May Grand, Mayglo, May Diamond, Mayfire, Red Diamond and Royal Giant. According to Industry sources, it is expected there will be no shipments of U.S. nectarines to Japan in 2008.