TOKYO, December 15, 2025: Japan’s green tea exports have reached their highest level in more than seven decades, supported by robust overseas demand for matcha powder and the continued depreciation of the yen, according to government and industry data. Between January and October 2025, Japan exported 10,084 tonnes of green tea, an increase of 44 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The volume marks the highest level since 1954, when exports peaked at 11,553 tonnes. The United States remained the leading destination, importing 3,497 tonnes of Japanese tea during the ten-month period. The growth in exports reflects a steady rise in global interest in Japanese tea products, particularly matcha, which has become a popular ingredient in beverages, confectionery, and other food products.
The trend has been driven by the expansion of Japanese food culture abroad and the growing inclusion of green tea in international retail markets. Japan’s green tea exports have now increased for nine consecutive years, highlighting consistent demand from international consumers even as domestic consumption continues to weaken. The rise in exports contrasts with the persistent decline in green tea drinking within Japan, where consumption has fallen due to changing preferences toward coffee and bottled drinks. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, total tea leaf production in 2024 was approximately 74,000 tonnes, more than ten percent lower than a decade earlier. The decline in output reflects structural challenges within the agricultural sector, including an aging farming population and a reduction in cultivated acreage.
Despite lower production, the export segment has provided a critical outlet for producers facing weaker demand at home. Tea leaf prices in Japan have risen sharply in recent years in response to tighter supplies. In Kagoshima Prefecture, one of the country’s major tea-producing regions, leaves harvested between October and November, typically used in bottled tea drinks, sold for more than 2,500 yen or about 16 dollars per kilogram. That represents a six-fold increase compared with the same period last year. The increase in prices has offered some relief to farmers grappling with labor shortages and declining yields. The yen’s depreciation has also made Japanese exports more competitive globally, supporting shipments to key overseas markets such as the United States and Europe.
Japan’s green tea exports post 44 percent annual growth
Japan’s green tea industry has experienced significant changes over the past decade as traditional sencha consumption has declined and production has shifted toward value-added products like matcha and powdered teas. These products have found success internationally due to their versatility and longer shelf life, allowing producers to tap into new consumer bases. Despite challenges in maintaining production volumes, Japan’s tea export sector continues to play an important role in supporting rural economies and preserving a traditional agricultural industry that remains globally recognized. The combination of resilient overseas demand and favorable currency conditions has positioned Japan as a leading supplier of premium green tea products to international markets.
Global recognition enhances Japanese tea reputation
The 2025 figures mark a milestone for Japan’s tea producers, representing the strongest export performance in more than 70 years and underscoring the industry’s continued importance within the country’s broader agricultural exports. The record shipment levels highlight how Japan’s tea sector has adapted to changing global consumption patterns by expanding into premium and specialty markets. While domestic demand has slowed, international recognition of Japan’s green tea as a high-quality, authentic product has reinforced its global presence. The achievement also reflects the resilience of Japan’s farming communities, which continue to maintain traditional cultivation methods while meeting growing international standards for quality and sustainability. – By Content Syndication Services.