The value of agricultural, forestry, and fishery product exports in 2024 is projected to exceed 1.5 trillion yen for the first time, with the United States taking the top spot for the first time in 20 years.

According to the “Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products Export and Import Information” released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on February 4, 2025, the final figure for agricultural, forestry and fishery product and food exports in 2024, based on the Ministry of Finance’s trade statistics, reached 1,507.3 billion yen, a 3.7% increase from the previous year, setting a new record high. This marks the first time the figure has exceeded 1.5 trillion yen.

Significant changes have also occurred in the export destinations. China, which had been the largest export destination since 2021, fell to fourth place (168.1 billion yen, a 29.1% decrease from the previous year). The United States took its place as the top export destination with 242.9 billion yen (a 17.8% increase from the previous year), reclaiming the top spot for the first time in 20 years.

By product category, exports of scallops to the United States surged by 60.1%. This indicates that diversification of export destinations for fishery products, which have been affected by the Chinese embargo, is steadily progressing. Malaysia ranks among the top 20 export destinations, further strengthening its presence in the Southeast Asian market.

This trend of diversifying export destinations for Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products is a significant boost for expanding exports to Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Information on Exports and Imports of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products” (February 2025) / JETRO