That Figures: A healthy appetite for Japanese fruit exports

Japan is a small island country with few natural resources and whose inhabitants have an insatiable appetite, right? That explains why Japan must import so much fresh produce. But when it comes to agricultural products, there is one area where Japan is actually competitive in world markets: fruit.

For example, apple exports have risen significantly in recent years. In 2003, Japan shipped 16,791 tons of apples overseas, nearly eight times the amount in 2001, when such exports reached 2,175 tons, according to farm ministry figures. Preliminary data for apple exports in 2005 stood at 17,099 tons, compared with 10,089 tons in 2004.

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