'About Japan' webinar series 211: Honey Market in Japan

What opportunities does the Japanese honey market offer to EU SMEs?

Japan is largely dependent on imports of honey to meet the domestic demand. The self-sufficiency rate is only about 6% (2022). Historically, China has been the leading exporter of honey to Japan. In recent years, however, the volume share to total imports is showing a declining trend and reached 65% in 2022.

Other exporters, including Canada, Ukraine, New Zealand and the EU, are increasing their exports. The EU reached a 6% volume share in 2022 vs 4% in 2021.

Although from a low level, the organic honey segment is expected to further grow, which could offer business opportunities to EU producers. Growing health awareness among Japanese consumers is another market driver that EU companies could tap into.

The tariff on natural honey imported from the EU is 6.4% in fiscal year 2023 (2023-04-01 ~ 2024-03-31). The tariff rate will be 3.2% in fiscal 2024 and tariff-free starting from 1 April, 2025. This is still another factor to take into consideration when evaluating business chances in the Japanese honey market.

The webinar is targeted to EU small- and mid-sized companies planning to enter the Japanese market for honey, and companies seeking to strengthen their current positions in Japan.

In 40 minutes from your desk, discover:

• The Japanese honey market - overview
• Trends in Japan’s honey market
• Who the key domestic and foreign players are
• How to approach the market
• Main opportunities and challenges for EU SMEs

Programme:

• Introduction
• Expert’s presentation
• Q&A Session
• Conclusion

Speaker: Maths Lundin, founder of Sweden Japan Consulting (SJC), has more than 35 years of experience working in Japan in sectors such as home appliances, system kitchens and nanotechnology. He is now working as consultant helping European companies set up business in Japan.

Moderator: Sofia Smerzi, Business Support Coordinator, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation - Brussels Office

Deliverables