Japan: Stone Fruit Annual
Japan’s commercial cherry production in marketing year (MY) 2019/20 is estimated to fall six percent to 15,200 metric tons (MT) on colder temperatures during the flowering stage and reduced acreage. Meanwhile, strong U.S. production portends an increase in imports of fresh cherries, projected to soar 31 percent to 4,300 MT in MY 2019/20. As weather related damages over the past two years continue to impact Japan’s peach growing regions, FAS/Tokyo forecasts a production drop of nearly 12 percent to 100,000 MT in MY 2019/20. Currently, no country has market access for fresh peaches due to phytosanitary concerns. Imports of U.S. nectarines are expected to remain stable at around 300 MT.
