Vietnamese Bananas Are Competitive With Similar Products in The Japanese Market

Vietnam was the 7th largest supplier of bananas to the Japanese market in the first quarter of 2022, reaching 1.5 million tonnes and exporting 166 million yen (US$1.3 million), up 38.5 per cent in volume and 30.2 per cent in value compared to the same period in 2021, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Import and Export Department.

Banana imports from Vietnam accounted for only 0.6 per cent of Japan's total imports, up 0.2 per cent from the same period in 2021.

Japan imports bananas from countries and regions such as Ecuador, the Philippines and Taiwan, China. Importers claim that Vietnamese bananas are tasty and have a better flavour. With competitive prices and excellent quality, Vietnamese bananas are competitive with similar products in the Japanese market.

According to Japan Customs statistics, in the first quarter of 2022, imports of bananas (HS code 0803) into the Japanese market reached 244,300 tonnes worth JPY 2,240 million (approximately USD 171 million), a 2.5 per cent decrease in imports compared to 2021, while the value of imports increased by 3.5 per cent.

Notably, the Philippines was the main banana supply market to Japan in 2022, reaching 190,800 tonnes, with exports amounting to 17.3 billion yen (approximately US$132 million), an increase of 0.5% in volume and 6.3% in value year-on-year, accounting for 78.1% of Japan's total banana imports. They were followed by Ecuador, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Costa Rica.