News about Japan

High temperatures in Japan, estimated -33% of volumes

Markets

04 Oct 2024

Officials stated that the estimated harvest of 8,700 tons for this season has decreased by 33% compared to the previous year and by 35% compared to the annual average. The annual harvest has fallen below 10,000 tons only once in the last decade: 9,160 tons in 2021.

Japan: high temperatures, labour shortages and US imports, USDA report

Production

16 Sep 2024

In the 2023/24 marketing year, the area planted with fresh cherries in Japan slightly decreased to 4,200 hectares (ha) compared to 4,230 ha in MY 2022/23. FAS/Tokyo predicts that this trend will continue in MY 2024/25, with the planted area expected to reach 4,160 hectares.

Japan: early flowering due to climate change, historical chronicles also report it

Tech management

04 Sep 2024

The city’s sakura records date back more than 1,200 years, the longest annual phenological record, or study of biological cycles, on Earth. The research on early blooms in Kyoto “has been identified and attributed to human-caused climate change,” says Gonzalez.

Fighting the heat in Japan: damage to 20% of production

Production

25 Jul 2024

Yamagata Prefecture accounts for almost 80% of the national cherry production, but this year's harvest is likely to be much lower than expected. The extremely hot weather has produced low quality cherries, unsuitable for shipment.

The 100,000 yen cherry: Yamagata Benio stuns at Tokyo auction

Markets

26 Jun 2024

The grower responsible for this cherry is Yoshimi Kanehira, a 76-year-old farmer from the city of Tendo. This cherry, of category 5L, has a diameter between 34 and 37 millimeters and was presented in a refined box made of Paulownia wood, a material used for luxury finishes.

USA and Japan: a renewed bond through the beauty of the cherry trees

Events

15 Apr 2024

Japan will give the US 250 cherry trees to replace those that will be uprooted to repair the wall around the capital's tidal basin. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made the announcement on Wednesday during a visit to the White House.

In Japan 50% of all cherries are sold for gifting purposes

Markets

25 Aug 2023

Cherry production in Japan is increasing due to improved weather conditions, while imports vary each year depending on tariff and market conditions. About half of locally produced cherries are sold for gift-giving.