Japan: Stone Fruit Annual
In marketing year (MY) 2018/19, reduced production and higher prices of U.S. cherries led to a 46 percent decline in exports to Japan to an estimated 2,800 metric tons (MT). Japanese area planted continued its long-term trend of decline while a gradual shift from traditional to new varieties that extend the harvest season further reduced the area harvested. Additionally, a hot, dry growing season reduced the weight of Japanese peach production in MY 2018/19, resulting in a smaller fruit size, and hence a reduced production forecast by 2.3 percent to 122,000 MT. U.S. exports of nectarines to Japan is forecast to decrease by 15 percent to 140 MT in MY 2018/19.
