Exports of grapes from Japan have been rapidly increasing since 2014. In 2018, they hit a record high. The main export destinations are Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore; these nations account for more than half the volume. Varieties with large attractive fruit like Pione and Shine Muscat have been selling well as gifts. In an effort to further increase exports, development is ongoing of varieties where the fruit keep fresher for longer and are less likely to fall from the vine.
In the past, nearly half of the total cultivated land for grapes in Japan was dedicated to the red varieties, with Delaware as the main type. Then the black variety Kyohō expanded its share to take top position in the market, but after peaking in 2003, the amount of cultivated land for it began to shrink.
Currently, it is the green variety Shine Muscat that is gaining momentum. These large seedless grapes have edible skin, and are easy to eat, so they have become extremely popular with everyone, from children to the elderly.
While fruit production on the whole is in decline, the output of grapes is thriving. Year on year, the gap with Satsuma mandarins and apples—the most popular fruit—has been closing and in 2018, grapes moved up to second place, behind mandarins. Buoyed by Shine Muscat, the performance of grapes may well continue going from strength to strength.
