Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormPrepared/Preserved (Cured/Brined Table Olives)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
Cured olives in Japan are primarily supplied by imports under HS 200570 (olives preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid). In 2024, Japan imported about USD 12.88 million (about 3,442 tonnes) of HS 200570, with Spain and Italy as leading suppliers. Domestic olive cultivation is concentrated in Kagawa Prefecture (Shodoshima), where olives are harvested in autumn and commonly brined or pressed into oil, but domestic output is niche relative to imported volume. Market entry is compliance-driven: importers must submit import notifications under Japan’s Food Sanitation Act and may face inspection and rejection for noncompliant additive use.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with niche domestic production (Kagawa/Shodoshima)
Domestic RoleSeasonal specialty production in Kagawa Prefecture (Shodoshima), including brined (“freshly pickled”) olives
SeasonalityRetail availability is effectively year-round due to imports; domestic Shodoshima harvest is concentrated in early autumn and supports seasonal brined products.
Specification
Primary VarietyMission (noted as an early domestic cultivar in Shodoshima, Kagawa)
Secondary Variety- Manzanillo
- Lucca
- Nevadillo Blanco
Physical Attributes- Typically marketed as table olives for direct consumption (whole, pitted, or stuffed), packed in brine.
Compositional Metrics- Codex STAN 66-1981 table-olive brine characteristics reference maximum pH 4.3, with minimum salt levels varying by style/treatment (commonly used as an international trade reference).
Packaging- Airtight retail containers (commonly glass jars or cans) and bulk packs for repacking; Japanese tariff lines distinguish airtight containers not more than 10 kg from other packs under HS 2005.70.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas processing (curing/brining) → export dispatch → sea freight to Japan → import notification/document examination at MHLW quarantine station → customs clearance → importer/distributor → retail/foodservice
Temperature- Shelf-stable product, but quality depends on package integrity and avoiding heat abuse that can accelerate softening or brine leakage.
Shelf Life- Long ambient shelf life is typical for brined table olives when seal integrity is maintained; open-pack storage requires refrigeration per product instructions.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighShipments can be delayed, rejected, or required to be returned/disposed if Japan’s Food Sanitation Act requirements are not met (including additive use standards checked during quarantine-station document examination). MHLW violation records include processed/pickled olive shipments rejected for additive-use standard violations.Pre-align formulation and additives to Japan-permitted additive lists and use standards; prepare a complete product specification for the import notification; coordinate pre-import review with the Japanese importer/quarantine station where needed.
Food Safety MediumCured olives are an acidified/brined product where process control (e.g., brine characteristics) is central to microbial safety; exporters may reference Codex STAN 66-1981 for brine pH/salt benchmarks, but Japan’s enforcement is under its national Food Sanitation Act framework.Implement validated curing/fermentation and, where applicable, pasteurization controls; provide batch test results (e.g., pH/salt and relevant microbiological/chemical checks) consistent with importer requirements.
Tariff Classification MediumIncorrect HS/statistical-code classification (e.g., airtight containers ≤10 kg vs other packs under HS 2005.70) can lead to duty misapplication and clearance friction.Confirm HS/statistical code with a Japan customs broker using the exact packaging format (container type and gross weight) before shipment; ensure invoice/packing list matches the declared code logic.
Logistics MediumAlthough shelf-stable, cured olives shipped by sea remain exposed to container schedule disruptions and packaging damage/leakage risks, which can create stockouts or write-offs for importers.Use robust secondary packaging and leakage protection; plan buffer inventory and consolidate shipments to reduce exposure to sailing variability.
FAQ
What is the key import compliance step for bringing cured olives into Japan for sale?The importer must submit an import notification under Japan’s Food Sanitation Act to the MHLW quarantine station for the port of entry. The quarantine station conducts document examination (and inspection when required), and the confirmed declaration/certificate is then used for customs import permission.
Which countries are the main suppliers of preserved (non-vinegar) olives to Japan?For HS 200570 in 2024, Japan’s largest suppliers by value and volume were Spain and Italy, followed by the United States, Greece, and Morocco (UN Comtrade data via World Bank WITS).
When are Shodoshima (Kagawa) olives harvested in Japan, and how are they commonly used?Shodoshima olives are harvested from mid-September to November, and most are either brined (including early-season “freshly pickled” olives) or pressed into oil, according to Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) materials.