TOKYO - Japan's exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products in the first half of 2026 rose 10.9 percent from a year earlier to 897.7 billion yen ($5.7 billion), a record high for the period, the government said Tuesday.
Shipments to all of Japan's top 10 destinations, including the United States and Hong Kong, exceeded year-before levels, pushing the overall total to a new January-June peak for the second straight year.
By product, green tea posted a notable gain, supported by a global matcha boom, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries saying that growing inbound tourism has raised overseas awareness of Japanese food.
Rising health consciousness also contributed, while new sales channels expanded at supermarkets and restaurants abroad that had not previously handled Japanese food. But the pace of export growth slowed from 15.5 percent in the first half of 2025.
Among the top 10 destinations by export value, eight countries and regions, apart from second-ranked Hong Kong and third-ranked China, marked first-half records. Exports to Hong Kong increased 3.0 percent, while those to China grew 4.3 percent.
Exports to South Korea rose 20.5 percent, with yellowtail and beer showing solid gains, while those to Vietnam jumped 35.4 percent on strong demand for scallops and mackerel. The United States ranked first, up 15.3 percent to 162.6 billion yen.
Green tea, beef, apples, and sauces and mixed seasonings registered record highs for the January-June period. Green tea surged 83.5 percent to 48.2 billion yen, while yellowtail surged 69.0 percent to 43.4 billion yen.
Demand for the tea as an ingredient for lattes and sweets grew. Yellowtail exports to North America and South Korea remained firm, while prices increased. Rice exports fell in volume terms due to shortages but rose in value to a record 7.5 billion yen on higher prices.
